TEN PEOPLE DIE  in Ireland every week as a result of suicide.

Director of the National Office of Suicide Prevention Gerry Raleigh said, “When someone takes their own life, the effects on their family, friends and community is devastating.

The factors leading to someone taking their own life are complex. National and international research has shown that reducing the incidence of suicide requires efforts at every level in society and in every community.

The HSE has outlined its suicide prevention plans for the coming year.

Prevention

The HSE has revealed that its National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) will have a budget of €8.8 million this year.

There is a wide array of work underway across the country supported by the NOSP to promote positive mental health and reduce suicide and self harm as a partnership approach is the only way forward.

The plans for the year ahead are to:

• Train 10,000 people in the suicide prevention training programmes ASSIST and safe TALK;
• Provide €6 million in funding to over 30 non-government organisations to carry out work promoting positive mental health across the country;
• Increase the number of suicide prevention resource officers from 10 to 16.

It’s estimated that one in every 100 Irish adults has received suicide prevention training through ASSIST and SafeTALK, which is offered free of charge.

Over the coming year NOSP plan to improve access to information and support by:

• Launching a free call number in March with the Samaritans;
• Launching an online portal with accurate information in the Autumn;
• And launching a new social marketing campaign in the Autumn to provide guidance on where people can get information

The video below shows how NOSP works with communities and organisations across the country to help respond to suicide and self harm.

via HSE/YouTube

Helplines:

• Samaritans 1850 60 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org
• Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634
• Console 1800 201 890
• Aware 1890 303 302
• Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie
• Childline 1800 66 66 66

Read: Would you wear a pin to show you will talk to someone about their mental health?>

Read: Children hospitalised after self-harming is on the increase>

Read: President Higgins: Stigma a major barrier to suicide prevention>

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