Unfortunately, over the past number of years many people in Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath have either been directly or indirectly affected by suicide, which has had a devastating effect on families and the community.
The vision of Connecting for Life, Irelands National Strategy to Reduce Suicide, 2015-2020 is "an Ireland where fewer lives are lost through suicide and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing".
Connecting for Life sets out the actions that will be taken to reduce suicide and self-harm in Ireland over the next five years and the expected outcomes from the implementation of these actions.
The specific goals of Connecting for Life are:
- To facilitate a better understanding of suicidal behaviour, mental health and wellbeing
- To supporting communities capacity to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour
- To target approaches to reduce suicidal behaviour and improve mental health amongst those vulnerable to suicide
- To enhance accessibility, consistency, care pathways and integration of services for people vulnerable to suicide behaviour
- To ensure safe and high quality services for people vulnerable to suicide
- To reduce and restrict access to means of suicidal behaviour
- To improve surveillance, evaluation and high quality research relating to suicidal behaviour.
The HSE, in partnership with community, voluntary and statutory organisations, is now seeking to develop a Suicide Prevention Action Plan for the counties of Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath and Louth/Meath. These three Action Plans will be based on the same vision, goals, objectives and measurable outcomes as the national strategy as outlined above.
Although a lot of work is being done and is ongoing from individuals, groups and organisations, there is still more that can be done to promote good mental health, prevent future suicide deaths and support those who are bereaved by suicide. Therefore a key part of the development of the Action Plans is providing an opportunity for as many people as possible to have their say regarding what should be included.
Consultation Process
An extensive consultation process will be undertaken in the preparation of the Suicide Prevention Action Plans. A variety of interest groups and relevant service providers will be consulted with. The consultation will be led by an Engagement Working Group comprised of representatives from the key statutory, voluntary and community agencies and groups in each of the 2-counties, i.e. Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath and Louth/Meath.
The objectives of the engagement and consultation process in developing the Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath and Louth/Meath Suicide Prevention Action Plans are as follows:
- To raise awareness of the aim of the development of the Action Plans and to begin or continue a public conversation that will support the way people think about mental health and suicide prevention.
- To hear and gather the views of individuals, community and voluntary groups and statutory agencies throughout Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath and Louth/Meath on how to promote mental health and wellbeing and reduce suicide and self-harm.
- To identify the priority areas for action in reducing suicide and self-harm.
- To establish what is working and not working for people in maintaining good mental health and to seek views on what actions can be taken to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Get Involved
The consultation process will take place during the month of May 2017 and will comprise a number of ways in which people can get involved and contribute their knowledge and expertise to this challenging issue.
- Complete a Postcard - Postcards will be distributed widely throughout the various counties in Libraries, Health Centres, Hospital waiting areas, public service centre, Family Resource Centres, etc.
- Take Part in an Online Survey - Online surveys (and paper versions) will be available here soon.
- Attend a Group Meeting - Details of town hall consultation meetings in each of the six counties, will also be available here soon.
- Attend Other Specific Groups - More specific focus groups/meetings will be scheduled for particular groups such as young people, Travellers, members of the LGBTI community, mental health service users and people bereaved by suicide.
Last updated on: 15/03/2017
