Michael McGrath
Question:38. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the key measures he is taking to tackle suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7494/13]
View answerThursday, 14 February 2013
Questions (38)
Written answers
Suicide is a tragedy that we are constantly working to prevent and also working to give more support to the families affected. Dealing with the current high levels of suicide and deliberate self harm is a priority for this Government. Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention makes a number of recommendations in relation to fast track referrals to community-based mental health services, effective response to deliberate self harm, training, stigma reduction, etc. Consequently, the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has developed a range of initiatives to support people who are suicidal and also supports their families, friends and peers in recognising and responding appropriately to signs of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts.
Key initiatives progressed by the NOSP in 2012 include the provision of a wide range of awareness and training programmes including safeTALK and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training) which trains participants to become more alert to the possibility of suicide in their community, the continuation of the National Awareness Campaigns which, last year, specifically targeted men and young men, the funding of partner agencies and projects and the development of the recently launched Guidance for Post-Primary Schools on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention developed with the Department of Education and Skills.
The annual budget for suicide prevention increased this year to over €13m, with €8.1m available to NOSP to fund voluntary and statutory agencies delivering services in the area of prevention, intervention, postvention and research and the remaining €5m available regionally to fund Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Liaison Nurses in Hospital Emergency Departments and local suicide prevention initiatives.
The NOSP is currently working to integrate current programmes within the sector and to provide a strategic framework for the coordination of the extensive range of actions in this area. Priority initiatives identified for this year include:
- The further development of existing National Mental Health Awareness campaigns to promote help seeking.
- Increased training for GPs and practice staff.
- Building the capacity of communities to respond to suicide.
- Implementation of the clinical care programme for self harm. This will include the funding of nursing posts within Hospital Emergency Departments, training of acute hospital staff on suicide and self harm intervention and the development of the SCAN (Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse) model which allows for crisis interventions at primary care.
- Investment in voluntary agencies providing front-line services.
Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 12.
Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 26.
Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 25.
Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 28.