World Suicide Prevention Day 2025

5th August 2025

The international theme of World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on 10th September 2025 is 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide'. Suicide is a serious global public health issue, with over 700,000 lives lost each year. Its impact extends far beyond the individual, deeply affecting families, communities, and societies at large.

This year’s theme calls on people, communities, organisations and government to foster open, honest conversations about suicide. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #StartTheConversation #WSPD2025 #WSPD

Key messages this World Suicide Prevention Day

The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is sharing five key messages about World Suicide Prevention Day.

Reach Out and Check In – Take time to connect with people around you. A simple check-in can bring hope and make a real difference.
Your Words Matter – Speak with kindness and empathy when talking about suicide. Everyone affected – whether they’ve lost someone or struggled themselves – deserves dignity and respect.
Be Safe Online – Share information about suicide or self-harm responsibly and supportively. Help create a safer, more sensitive online space for everyone.
Let’s Talk About Suicide – Build your suicide prevention skills. Learn how to spot signs and support someone – you could help save a life.
Know Where to Get Help – Familiarise yourself with local and national supports and services. Knowing where to turn can make a meaningful difference.

Download a Partner Pack from the HSE NOSP, containing more information about these messages, and accompanying images for social media.

Activities in Health Regions

Suicide Prevention Training (Nationwide)

Let's Talk About Suicide – free, online 60 minute suicide prevention training programme
Other upcoming training in your area

Take part in free suicide prevention training available from the HSE, in your area. Programmes include Let's Talk About Suicide (online), safeTALK, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Understanding Self-harm, and Suicide Bereavement Workshops.

WSPD and Green Ribbon Family Fun Festival (Donegal)

Sunday 14th September, from 1pm to 4pm
Swan Park, Buncrana, County Donegal
For more information contact Ciara Wray at ciara.wray@hse.ie or on 086 8379909

This fun, family day out takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Swan Park. All are welcome to learn vital skills to help enhance their wellbeing and promote positive mental health. Activities on the day will demonstrate how we can integrate the 5 ways to wellbeing as part of our daily and weekly routines. A number of service providers will also have information stands available to provide information about local services.

Farmers Green Ribbon Family Event (Donegal)

Sunday 12th October, from 1pm to 4pm
Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, County Donegal
For more information contact Ciara Wray at ciara.wray@hse.ie or on 086 8379909

This Farmers Green Ribbon event marks World Mental Health Day. It will include a wide range of wellbeing activities and entertainment including a tractor showcase, guest speakers and mental health promotion materials.

Mental Health Information Evening (Monaghan)

Wednesday 10th September, from 6pm to 8pm
Monaghan Library, Peace Campus Building, Monaghan
There is no need to register in advance – all are welcome
Download the poster
For more information contact Emer Mulligan at emer.mulligan@hse.ie

Monaghan County Council’s Library Service in partnership with HSE Connecting for Life Cavan Monaghan, HSE Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Service Recovery College, and Monaghan Sports Partnership are hosting an information evening focusing on all matters related to men’s health and wellbeing. The evening will involve a short talk from local experts on health issues including a local GP, Physiotherapist and HSE Psychologist. Monaghan Sports Partnership will highlight the range of sporting options open to men across the County and the evening will also feature personal testimonies of men using sport to improve their well-being.

Webinar on Online Safety (Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath)

Wednesday 10th September, from 10am to 11am
Online. Register here in advance
For more information contact Emer Mulligan at emer.mulligan@hse.ie or Rosaleen Dolan at rosaleen.dolan@hse.ie

Join HSE Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention online, to learn about responding to social media content on self-harm, suicidal behaviour and suspected suicide. This webinar will present tips and tools that have been developed to raise awareness and offer practical advice on safe and sensitive communication online. The tips and tools are particularly for professionals working in statutory, voluntary and community services (in particular, in the mental health area) and for volunteers, parents, carers or those with an interest in learning more.

Let's Talk About Suicide - Teagasc (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon)

Wednesday 10th September at 12pm
For more information contact Sean Conneely at sean.conneely2@hse.ie or Siobhan McBrearty at siobhan.mcbrearty@hse.ie

Teagasc Advisors based in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon have been engaged with HSE Health Promotion and Improvement staff in relation to Farmer's mental health and wellbeing. The purpose of this initiative is to upskill gatekeepers in the rural and farming community, and encourage enrollment and completion of the Let's Talk About Suicide online suicide prevention training programme.

WSPD Pop Up, Nenagh General Hospital (Tipperary)

Wednesday 10th September from 10am to 11am
All welcome
For more information contact Mick Collins at michaela.collins@hse.ie

Join the regional Office for Suicide Prevention at this information stand, promoting the message of WSPD, Changing the Narrative on Suicide. Staff will be on hand with resources, information on local supports, and a space to answer questions about suicide and self harm prevention.

WSPD Pop Up, University Hospital Limerick (Limerick)

Wednesday 10th September from 9am to 12pm
All welcome
For more information contact Jenny Blake at jenny.blake@hse.ie

Join the regional Office for Suicide Prevention, and Liaison Psychiatry staff at this information stand, promoting the message of WSPD, Changing the Narrative on Suicide. Staff from both services will be on hand with resources, information on local supports, and a space to answer questions about suicide and self harm prevention.

Living with Loss Evening (Galway)

Thursday 9th October from 7pm to 9pm
For more information contact the Galway Grief Sherpa Network at bereavementdevelopment@hospicefoundation.ie

Living with Loss: A Compassionate Evening of Support for those who are Bereaved. Whether you are grieving, supporting someone who is, or working in a related field, this community event offers a space to feel seen, heard and supported for those navigating the journey of grief. Two guest speakers will present, along with a panel which will feature individuals with lived experience of grief sharing their personal journeys and the supports that helped them along the way. Attendees will also learn about a range of bereavement supports and services available throughout Galway. This event is free of charge. It is being organised by Galway Grief Sherpa Network, a partnership of organisations involved in providing bereavement support in Galway City and County.

Half-Day Wellness Workshop (Galway)

Tuesday 23rd September from 10am to 1pm
From Suicide or Survive, working in partnership with Galway City Partnership and the HSE
Register in advance here
For more information contact info@suicideorsurvive.ie

This half-day, informal and relaxed workshop will take place in the Galway Rowing Club, Galway City. It aims to help participants to understand and take charge of their mental health. During the workshop, participants can learn a wide range of practical tools and tips that they can use in their everyday lives to improve their wellness.

Traveller Mental Health Event (Louth)

Friday 10th October from 10am to 4pm
Lisdoo, Dundalk, County Louth
For more information contact Eileen Havern (Community Development Officer, Louth Local Development) at eileen.havern@lldc.ie

Louth Traveller Movement, in collaboration with Louth Local Development, Exchange House and the HSE ROSP for Louth Meath are hosting this Traveller Mental Health Event in Louth. The event will work towards: reducing stigma; creating clear pathways between support services; strengthening community connections and peer support; promoting Traveller cultural awareness and training for service providers; addressing poor mental health within the Traveller community; recognition of the Traveller suicide crisis; and establishing a follow-up steering group.

Support information

Listening support is available anytime day or night, from Samaritans on Freephone 116 123, visit www.samaritans.ie
Text support is available anytime day or night, from spunout Text About It – text HELLO to 50808, visit www.textaboutit.ie
Suicide and self-harm prevention and bereavement services are available from Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie
Visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area. You can also call the Your Mental Health Information Line on 1800 111 888, anytime day or night, for information on mental health services in your area.

Information for media

Global suicide statistics

Information from the World Health Organisation.
More than 720 000 people die due to suicide every year.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.
Seventy-three per cent of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The reasons for suicide are multi-faceted, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors present across the life-course.
For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide in the general population

Irish suicide statistics

Information from the Central Statistics Office.
In 2024, 351 people (289 male, 62 female) died by suicide (provisional figure).
Later, when late registered deaths are accounted for, we know that over 500 people die by suicide each year in Ireland.
An overview of more complete suicide statistics in Ireland up to 2021 is available from the CSO here.

Media reporting

If you are a journalist or media professional covering a suicide-related issue, consider the Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide and Preventing Suicide, a resource for media professionals (World Health Organisation) because of the potentially damaging consequences of irresponsible reporting. In particular, the guidelines advise on terminology to use and to include links to sources of support for anyone affected by the themes in any coverage.
The topic of suicide should always be approached with care and compassion. It is important to use sensitive and non-stigmatising language when engaging in a conversation, talking or writing about suicide. Read more from the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention.