Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, is today marking international World Suicide Prevention Day. The global theme for 2024 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, which aims to change our perception of suicide and move from a culture where suicide is stigmatised to one in which there is openness and understanding surrounding this issue.
This theme is very much in line with Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide Ireland, and its focus on stigma reduction and talking openly about mental health difficulties.
Suicide is a very complex issue, but by having open and honest discussions with our friends, loved ones, and colleagues we can help destigmatise the issue and contribute to a more supportive culture where help-seeking is encouraged.
Speaking on world suicide prevention day, Minister Butler welcomed the ‘Promoting Safe and Sensitive Media Reporting of Suicide’ conference being held in Dublin this Thursday 12th September.
Minister Butler said:
“On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to help change the narrative on suicide. The ‘Promoting Safe and Sensitive Media Reporting of Suicide’ conference on Thursday will help us work towards that. This event will encourage media to adhere to guidelines around the reporting of suicide as part of our efforts to reduce suicide, in line with Connecting for Life.”
Minister Butler further underlined the importance of seeking help:
“By heeding the call to ‘Start the Conversation’ this year we can help those who are going through a difficult time to feel more comfortable seeking help.
“In Ireland the majority of those who die by suicide are men. Men who are fathers, brothers, uncles, sons. As Minister for Mental Health and Older People I believe it is imperative that we encourage men in particular to speak out and seek help, to let them know that help is available. And help is always available.
“Preventing the tragedy of suicide remains a key priority for me and the Government as a whole, and it is hugely important that we keep working to reduce suicide in Ireland.”
Minister Butler last week launched the 2024 ‘Green Ribbon’ campaign where she spoke about the negative impact of stigma, and the importance of challenging it, so that we can move towards a more tolerant and compassionate society.
Support is always available
Always signpost to supports whenever talking about suicide. Many services are open 24/7 and you can make contact in different ways, for example:
- on the phone – Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.ie or freephone 116 123
- by text message – Text About It, text HELLO to 50808, visit www.textaboutit.ie
- online – MyMind, visit www.mymind.org
- face-to-face – Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie or freephone 1800 247 247
You can also call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, anytime day or night, for information on mental health, and what other services and supports are available near you – freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie.
