Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate being allowed to stay seated while I reply.

In response to Deputy Wallace, who has clearly read the report, in my view it is a little too late in secondary school to start on the issue of emotional well-being. As he has heard me say previously and as I will say again, in this issue language is vitally important. We are beginning on a new phase in our approach to those who feel that there is no hope out there and that they have an option of taking their lives by suicide. We need to start a new phase. The world has moved on, where people are at has moved on and we must move with that. On the last remark of Deputy Wallace, I believe that it is too late at second level to get students, in particular, young men, to express themselves.

I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. It is an issue that, I suppose, we should never tire of raising. Then again, talking about it and, as Deputy Troy stated, personal commitment, only goes so far. We really must have results, outcomes and a more concrete plan.

The increasing number of deaths by suicide over the past number of years is disturbing. Suicide is a tragedy that we are constantly working to prevent, and on which we are also working to give more support to the families affected. Dealing with the current high levels of suicide and deliberate self harm is a priority for the Government.

We cannot dismiss the economic downturn. We know it is having an effect. The figures alone tell us that. The Government is also working on this.

Earlier today, I attended the launch of the all-island report on behalf of the Men's Health Forum in Ireland, Young Men and Suicide Project, which finds that suicide is a major cause of death among males on the island of Ireland. During that launch, which was one of the most positive events I attended in recent years on suicide and self harm, I noted that the amount of people who are giving of their time, both on a voluntary and a professional basis, to get involved in this issue is quite staggering.

Another key finding is that there is no quick-fix solution to tackling the extensive and complex causes and risk factors that underpin the statistics on suicide in young men.

Reach Out, our national strategy for action on suicide prevention, recognises the youth sector as a high-risk group and sets out a number of specific actions. Consequently, the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention, NOSP, has developed a range of initiatives aimed specifically at supporting young people who are suicidal and also supporting their peers in recognising and responding appropriately to signs of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. Initiatives progressed include the availability of a wide range of awareness and training programmes in the area of mental health promotion and suicide prevention, the development of a number of media campaigns, and the so-called please talk initiative, running in third level colleges, which encourages young people experiencing problems to talk to others and identifies the supports available to those in need.

Jigsaw, an innovative community-based support service for young people, is now available or in development in 11 sites throughout the country. The annual budget for suicide prevention has increased this year to more than €13 million. Some €8.1 million is administered by the NOSP and is used to fund voluntary and statutory agencies delivering services in the area of prevention, intervention, postvention and research. The remaining €5 million is available regionally to fund resource officers for suicide prevention, self-harm liaison nurses in hospital emergency departments and local suicide prevention initiatives. A special programme of measures to further advance suicide prevention in 2013 is being developed.

I have no plans at present to set up a task force, as Deputy Mattie McGrath suggested, to examine the area of suicide prevention and mental health. These functions are being carried out by the HSE and the NOSP whose role includes overseeing the implementation of Reach Out and co-ordinating suicide prevention initiatives throughout the country. The NOSP is advised and guided by an implementation group comprising individuals with considerable knowledge and expertise in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health promotion and bereavement support. I am happy that the advisory group brings an independent voice to the table. In addition, the NOSP publishes an annual report - it is currently working on it - outlining its activities and work each year, so it is fully accountable to this House. I believe that a commitment to evidence-based programmes and partnerships with a common purpose is what is required to address the issue of suicide, and this role is being carried out at present by the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The report launched today will add to that knowledge.

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