Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of men's mental health, particularly in the context of suicide and the fact that this Friday is International Men's Health Day. Any loss of life to suicide is a tragedy, and my deepest condolences go out to any family or individual who has lost someone to suicide or who has been affected by suicide. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, it is a complex problem and situation that individuals and families find themselves in and it means they need support in many different ways. As the Deputy has outlined, this is not just about the Department of Health; it is about so many other Departments coming together to try to tackle this issue.

International Men's Health Day is this Friday, and it is an opportunity to consider men's mental health and to look at what is being done and what more can be done to try to support men. In doing so, we need to acknowledge that most deaths by suicide are among men. This is an international phenomenon and in this respect, Ireland is unfortunately no different. This was highlighted in a joint report by the Men's Health Forum in Ireland and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention in 2018. The report notes that men are more likely to die by suicide than women are and that the highest suicide rate is among those aged 45 to 54. As the Deputy pointed out, it is extremely high among those aged 40 to 59 as well. The report explored the specific mental health and well-being needs of at-risk and vulnerable middle-aged men. It noted the stigma attached to mental health. It is unfortunate that this stigma still exists but we have made huge strides in talking about it, exploring this issue and providing support and help. It still exists, however, and it was highlighted as a significant issue and barrier to seeking help. Middle-aged men are identified as a priority group in Connecting for Life, the national strategy to reduce suicide, and this continues to work with and support the Men's Health Forum in Ireland to implement a number of its strategic recommendations.

Men's Health Week is held in June each year. Many activities highlighting and promoting positive mental health and well-being are supported by the HSE and the Department of Health. The HSE also supports men's sheds, which are a great social network for men, as social contact is vital to positive mental health. Not every man goes to his local men's shed but for those who do it is a vital support and something the Government supports.

We are all determined to reduce the incidence of suicide in Ireland. Last November, the Government extended Connecting for Life by four years to 2024. Implementation of the strategy involves a cross-departmental and cross-sectoral approach, acknowledging the significant complexities involved and the strategy is overseen by the Department of Health. The National Office for Suicide Prevention was specifically established to co-ordinate suicide reduction efforts around the country and to implement Connecting for Life. I appreciate that there are a lot of strategies but all of these elements are connected and it is all being driven by the Department of Health in connection with the various other Departments. Since 2010, funding for Connecting for Life has been increased from €3.7 million to the current level of €13 million.

A key part of Connecting for Life is development of local Connecting for Life plans. These plans were developed in collaboration with the HSE, community groups, organisations and individuals who have been impacted by suicide who want to help and play their part. They are designed to reinforce social supports, follow-up care, tackle stigma at local level and support those bereaved by suicide. We have to always remember that it is not just the individuals involved but that many others are impacted by suicide.

I know we are not where we need to be in the levels of overall funding and we all appreciate that. We are at a point where €1.149 billion has been allocated to mental health and that has increased significantly in the past ten years. That will only continue to increase because we appreciate that more needs to be spent on this issue.

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