Mental health and suicide prevention public consultation launched

IN partnership with local organisations and community and voluntary groups, HSE CHO Area 2 - which incorporates Galway, Mayo and Roscommon - are developing a suicide prevention action plan for the region.

It's part of 'Connecting for Life', a national strategy which aims to reduce suicide in Ireland. This strategy sets out the Irish government’s vision for suicide prevention, the expected outcomes over the next five years, and the actions that will be taken to prevent suicide and self-harm in Ireland.

The two primary objectives of this strategy are to reduce suicide rates and presentations of self-harm through the whole population and amongst specified priority groups.

As part of Connecting for Life, a suicide prevention action plan steering committee was established for HSE CHO Area 2 to support the development of a suicide prevention action plan for Galway, Mayo and Roscommon in line with the recommendations of Connecting for Life.

A public survey is currently underway and as many people as possible are urged to have a say. Members of the public can complete the survey online by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHO2 (or in Irish at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHO2Irish).

Suicide resource officer for Galway, Mary O'Sullivan, explained: “A new national strategy for suicide prevention was developed in 2015 by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). The strategy incorporates international best practice, builds on previous prevention measures and aims to reduce the risk factors for suicidal behaviour.

“Along with other areas of our health service, we are working alongside the NOSP to develop a local action plan specifically for the west of Ireland in conjunction with various local organisations, NGOs, local authorities and communities. We encourage as many people to complete the survey so that we can continue to work in preventing suicide and self-harm in Ireland.”