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Suicide Prevention

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013

Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Questions (312)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

312. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that there have been 27 suicides in the past 20 days, if he has given serious consideration to setting up an organisation such as the Road Safety Authority which was set up to prevent road deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/13]

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Written answers

The HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) was established in 2005 on foot of a recommendation in ‘Reach Out' our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention. The role of NOSP is to oversee the implementation of Reach Out and to coordinate suicide prevention initiatives around the country. The National Office is advised and guided by an advisory group comprising individuals with considerable knowledge and expertise in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health promotion and bereavement support. In addition NOSP publishes an Annual Report outlining its activities and work each year so it is fully accountable. I believe that a commitment to evidence based programmes and partnerships with a common purpose is what is required to address the issue of suicide and this role is being carried out at present by the National Office.

Earlier this year, the NOSP established a Group to review the current activities in the area of suicide prevention and to determine the priorities within this area to ensure that we maximise available resources. The Group will also review current national and international evidence on effective approaches in suicide prevention and will consider how the emerging evidence base can be used to inform the remaining period of the Reach Out strategy and influence new policy on suicide prevention beyond 2014.

The Government has increased the annual budget for suicide prevention this year to over €13m, with €8.1m available to the 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. I have no plans to establish an organisation such as the Road Safety Authority, however, the Department of Health is currently in discussions with the NOSP to agree a strategy for suicide prevention in 2013 having regard to the increased funding available this year and the concerns around suicide generally. Priority initiatives will include the further development of existing National Mental Health Awareness campaigns to promote help seeking; increased training for GPs and practice staff; the training of acute hospital staff on suicide and self harm intervention; the development of the SCAN (Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse) model which allows for crisis interventions at primary care and continued investment in voluntary agencies providing frontline services.

Question No. 313 answered with Question No. 15.
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