Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Independent)
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1291. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he has implemented since coming into office to reduce the numbers of deaths by suicide; the measures he is planning to implement by the end of 2013; the targeted reduction to be achieved by the end of 2013, 2014, 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36926/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Suicide is a tragedy that we are constantly working to prevent and 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 this Government and in this regard significant additional funding has been provided in recent years to address this issue. Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention makes a number of recommendations in relation to fast track referrals to community-based mental health services, effective response to deliberate self-harm, training, reducing stigma and promoting positive mental health, initiatives aimed at helping young men and research.

Since 2011, funding for the NOSP has increased significantly from €4 million in 2011 to €7.9 million in 2013. This increase in funding along with the additional investment in mental health has led to work being progressed on almost every recommendation in Reach Out including the following actions:

- Supporting over 40 individual organisations and programmes both internal and external to the HSE. This increase in funding has focused on resourcing front line services for persons who are in emotional distress, who have engaged in self harm or who have been bereaved through suicide. Many of these services are being delivered by Non-Governmental Organisation sector with direct funding from the NOSP, i.e. Pieta House, Samaritans and Console.

- Working to build the capacity of frontline service providers and communities to respond to suicide through the delivery of a number of suicide prevention training programmes i.e. over 42,000 participants have completed the ASIST and safeTALK programmes. In addition, the NOSP has invested significantly in the development of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) services across community mental health teams.

- The NOSP resourced the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) to implement a training programme on suicide prevention for GPs and general practice staff. International evidence highlights GP training in depression and the management of suicidal behaviour as critical to reducing suicide rates.

- The development of the National Clinical Care Programme for Self Harm in Emergency Departments and the SCAN (Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse) service.

- The delivery of two effective social marketing campaigns on mental health that have changed public attitudes and behaviours related to help seeking and mental health. The NOSP is working to develop a new national communication strategy for suicide prevention.

- The NOSP is currently working with the Irish Association of Suicidology and other partners to develop national standards for service providers that will improve the quality and safety of funded services.

- The NOSP in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills launched national guidelines on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for the post primary school sector. These guidelines have been distributed to schools and health services on a nationwide basis.

- The HSE is implementing the CIPC (Counselling in Primary Care) programme. This national service was launched in 2013 and is delivering counselling to medical card holders at a primary care level.

The NOSP publishes an Annual Report which outlining its activities which is laid before Both Houses of the Oireacthas. The Annual Report for 2012 was published on 5 September 2013.

The NOSP has been reviewing its current activities to make the most of our available resources, including looking at best practice internationally to inform evidence-based policy decisions. The review will result in a renewed strategic approach which will build on work already undertaken under Reach Out. Its aim will be to support population health approaches and interventions that will assist in reducing the loss of life through suicide. This renewed focus will provide for improved coordination and integration of services to ensure that pathways of care for persons at risk of suicide or in suicidal crisis can be accessible, acceptable and available.

Targets to reduce the rate of suicide for the years 2013 to 2015 have not been set. However, it is proposed that the development of targets related to suicidal behaviour and population well-being will be considered as part of the review.