Seanad debates
Thursday, 27 February 2003
Suicide Incidence: Statements.
I emphasise the importance of voluntary organisations in supporting and promoting positive mental health among the population. My Department is fully committed to working with voluntary groups to promote positive mental health among third level students. Close links between the mental health services and voluntary organisations are of the utmost importance and every health board has a development officer who liases between the statutory health services and the local mental health associations to provide an integrated and comprehensive service. Also, the health promotion unit of my Department funds and supports in a variety of ways the efforts of mental health organisations such as Mental Health Ireland, AWARE, Schizophrenia Ireland and GROW. We recently supported the production of "a resource manual for mental health promotion and suicide prevention in third level institutions" jointly produced by Trinity College Dublin and the Northern Area Health Board which will be available to all third level institutions.
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