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• #StartTheConversation  
• Free, online, suicide prevention programme  ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ available    

The HSE is marking international World Suicide Prevention Day (on Tuesday, 10 September) by highlighting actions that can help us to start a conversation, spread a message of hope and save more lives from suicide in Ireland.     The global call to action for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 is to ‘Change the Narrative’ and #StartTheConversation. The aim is to inspire individuals, communities, organisations, and governments to engage in open and honest discussions about suicide. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of understanding and support.  Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO, said:

“Preventing suicide is everyone’s business, and on World Suicide Prevention Day, we are reminded we all have a role to play in creating more compassionate communities. The HSE maintains a steadfast high-level commitment to promote our population’s mental health and reduce suicide, as outlined in our National Service Plan and Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide.  We are proud to work collaboratively across so many different sectors, so we can create a more supportive and compassionate society where suicide is preventable, and everyone feels valued and understood.”   

On World Suicide Prevention Day, the HSE is asking people to enroll in and take part in ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ – a free online suicide prevention training programme that takes just 60 minutes to complete. This programme is for everyone, especially people who are supporting a loved one or those involved in their local communities. It helps participants to identify people who might be at risk of suicide, confidently ask about suicide, keep them safe, and connect them with resources that can help.     John Meehan, HSE Assistant National Director and Head of the National Office for Suicide Prevention, said:

“We hope that on World Suicide Prevention Day, and every day, people can build their confidence and knowledge to talk safely and sensitively about suicide. We ask people share ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ with their friends, families and in workplaces and communities. At any time in our personal or professional lives, any one of us might encounter a person who is in distress, or who needs a listening ear. It is important we all feel prepared for such conversations whenever they arise, be able to recognise the signs that a person is struggling, and feel confident in asking about suicide, when we need to.”  

‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ is one suicide prevention training programme available from the HSE. A range of different programmes is available across communities nationwide, as part of the HSE’s collective efforts to implement ‘Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide’. For more information on these programmes visit www.nosp.ie/training.   Further Resources and Information

For those interested in learning more about suicide prevention, the HSE offers Let’s Talk About Suicide, a free, online training programme available to anyone over the age of 18. This course equips participants with basic suicide prevention skills. To enrol, visit traininghub.nosp.ie. Please note that it is recommended that individuals recently bereaved by suicide wait at least 12 months before engaging in this type of training.

For further details, you can visit nosp.ie or contact [email protected].

Suicide: A Global Challenge

Globally, suicide remains a significant issue. According to recent figures, over 703,000 people die by suicide each year, with over half of these deaths occurring before the age of 50. While suicide affects every region, it disproportionately impacts low and middle-income countries, accounting for 77% of all cases in 2019. More detailed global statistics can be found in the World Suicide Prevention Day Facts & Figures report here.

Irish Suicide Statistics

In Ireland, suicide continues to take a tragic toll. Official statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the following numbers of deaths by suicide in recent years:

• 2023: 302 (Provisional)
• 2022: 412
• 2021: 449
• 2020: 504

The full data can be accessed at www.cso.ie.

Support and Assistance

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available 24/7. Services include:

• Samaritans: www.samaritans.ie or freephone 116 123
• Text About It: Text HELLO to 50808 or visit www.textaboutit.ie
• MyMind: www.mymind.org
• Pieta: www.pieta.ie or freephone 1800 247 247

Bereavement support services are also available at www.hse.ie/grief. Alternatively, you can call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, open day and night, for further information.