A wide-reaching community consultation on suicide has recently taken place across County Monaghan to develop a local suicide prevention action plan. Suicide prevention is an issue of huge importance to communities across Ireland. In Monaghan, we are experiencing suicide rates that are higher than the national average and we share a deep concern about suicide that can drive us to make positive changes and to embrace the idea that “suicide prevention is everyone’s business”.
A series of public meetings were hosted by community partners to identify local needs and to develop a local strategy that can improve mental health and prevent suicidal behaviour in Monaghan. There were focus group sessions with people who may be more vulnerable in the community including those engaged with Mental Health services, members of new communities, and young people. There was an in-depth consultation with professionals working in the area of suicide prevention/mental health promotion and numerous submissions were received via our online survey and postcards from interested members of the community and service providers.
This consultation builds on the 2015 launch of Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Prevent Suicide 2015-2020. The development of local suicide prevention action plans is a key recommendation of the national strategy because local needs are different across the country. The development of the local plan for Monaghan will be informed by what emerged throughout the community consultation.
The Cavan Monaghan Suicide Prevention Planning Group would like to extend their thanks to everyone that has contributed to the development of the plan so far. The information gathered is currently being collated and a draft plan is being prepared.
For further information on the development of the plan contact emer.mulligan@hse.ie
Help is at hand in County Monaghan
Are you, or someone you know, in crisis?
In a crisis (when someone might harm themselves, harm someone else, or is vulnerable to suicide) it is important to get help as quickly as you can for yourself or the person you are concerned about.
You can get professional help through:
The local G.P.
Find a local family doctor (G.P.)
If it's late in the evening, night time or the weekend, contact a G.P. out of hours service.
North East Doctor On Call - 1800 777 911.
Hospital emergency services: Go to or contact the Emergency Department of your nearest general hospital. You can also contact the emergency services by calling 999 or 112 if you or someone else has harmed themselves or taken an overdose.
HSE Mental Health services: If you have been (or are currently) supported by a mental health team, go to the Emergency Department or contact the service you are attending and ask for an appointment as soon as possible.
Listening service: Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone struggling to cope. For confidential, non-judgemental support please free call 116 123 in the Republic of Ireland, visit www.samaritans.ie for details of the nearest branch.
You might need to try a few options before you find appropriate support but don't give up trying - there is help available. If possible, ask someone to come along with you to the support service you contact.
Go to YourMentalHealth.ie to search for supports in your local area, and information on what to do when someone tells you they are suicidal or at risk of self harm.
Last updated on: 07/03/2017
