Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps her Department is taking to combat depression and isolation among members of the farming community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13062/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The last few years have been very significant in the area of mental health with the launch of two important Strategy Documents, 'Reach Out' — A National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, which was launched in September 2005, and 'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which was launched in January 2006.

'A Vision for Change' outlines a comprehensive model for mental health service provision for Ireland. It describes a framework for building and fostering positive mental health across the entire community and for providing accessible, community-based, specialist services for people with mental illness.

'Reach Out' provides a policy framework for suicide prevention activities in Ireland. The strategy calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster cooperation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies.

'Reach Out' recognises the importance of reaching out to people who are self-employed or those who work in places and settings that can be isolated, such as farmers. Implementation of these Strategy documents is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.