Suicide is a tragedy which has devastating effects for individuals, families and wider society. Addressing suicide and its causes is a priority for myself and for the Government.
The HSE has advised me that the 3-year moving average rate of suicide in South Dublin is recorded as 6.8 per 100,000 population for the period 2013-2015 and 5.0 per 100,000 for the period 2014-2016. The Deputy will be aware that final figures 2017 are not yet available however, recent reports indicate a possible increase in the number of suicides in Dublin South-Central in 2017. Further indications are that women may account for up to 50% of such suicides.
A number of responses have been developed and implemented in relation to individual suicides in terms of supports to families in the aftermath of suicide and also at community level. These responses include:
- Individual support through the Primary Care Psychology service to children bereaved by suicide;
- Support to community members given by Primary Care Psychology services;
- Linking in appropriate services to support individual families and the community in the aftermath of suicide;
- Working with agencies who have contacted the HSE with concerns around family members bereaved by suicide and ensuring a timely access into appropriate services including Mental Health Services;
- Working with agencies concerned with substance misuse to identify trends in relation to poly-drug use and suicide; and
- Supporting local community initiatives to respond to suicide at a local level through training and developing a local resource for residents in relation to agencies available to support them around the issue of suicide.
Our response involves suicide prevention and the building of resilience for individuals and communities. Significant engagement has taken place with stakeholders across a variety of areas to ensure that this issue is being addressed in the most appropriate manner. One example of our engagement can be seen in the February 2018 launch of ‘Connecting for Life Dublin South; Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2018-2020’.
In 2017 an extensive consultation took place to develop this plan. This consultation process helped to identify key risks in relation to suicide in the Dublin South area and associated service challenges. In response to these identified risks and in line with the national Connecting for Life framework, the action plan was developed.
Implementation of the plan is being driven by one of three Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention across Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow. ‘Connecting for Life Dublin South’ details 64 actions that are currently being implemented in the area with the aim of reducing the rate of suicide in South Dublin in line with national targets.
Throughout Dublin South there are a number of services targeted at the promotion of positive mental health and at addressing the needs of those experiencing mental health difficulties. These services include adult, adolescent and child specialist mental health services, suicide prevention supports and services and primary care and network services including counselling in Primary Care.
In addition, the HSE funds a number of Dublin South partner agencies with the aim of providing support and building resilience. These include Candle Community Trust; AWARE; Belong To; Mental Health Ireland; Pieta House; Samaritans Ireland; and Suicide or Survive Ltd amongst others.
The Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention in the area is also involved with mental health promotion and training at local level. In 2017, over 1,000 individuals, working or living in the Dublin South area, were trained through programmes to enhance the community’s capacity to respond to suicide and self-harm.
