Press release: Thursday 10 September 2026
Minister Butler marks World Suicide Prevention Day 2026
Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, today marked World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to reducing suicide and self-harm through the implementation of Ireland’s Strategy to Reduce Suicide and Self-harm: Connecting for Life 2026-2035.
World Suicide Prevention Day, held annually on 10 September, is coordinated by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organisation. The global theme for 2026, and the final year of the three-year campaign, is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, with the call to action “Start the Conversation.”
The theme encourages people, communities, organisations and governments to challenge stigma, foster open and compassionate conversations about suicide, and create environments where people feel supported to seek help when they need it.
In May this year, the Government launched Connecting for Life 2026-2035, Ireland’s new ten-year, whole-of-government strategy to reduce suicide and self-harm. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision of an Ireland where fewer lives are lost to suicide and where people have timely access to the supports they need. It includes a target to reduce the national suicide rate to 7 per 100,000 population or below by 2035 and places a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, crisis response, stigma reduction and support for those bereaved by suicide.
On World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, Minister Butler and Professor Philip Dodd, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, will speak at a conference hosted by Samaritans Waterford to mark the branch’s 50th anniversary and recognise its longstanding contribution to suicide prevention in the South East.
Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, Minister Butler said:
“World Suicide Prevention Day provides an important opportunity to remind people that help is available and that none of us has to face difficult times alone.”
“Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and communities. While progress has been made in reducing suicide, we know that four out of every five deaths by suicide are among men, and many still find it difficult to reach out for support. That is why I launched free counselling for men, providing more than 30,000 hours of counselling across last year and this year.”
“I am so pleased that over 6,000 men have come forward for support so far. I want to encourage any man who is going through a difficult time to speak to his GP or visit yourmentalhealth.ie/men to learn more about these free supports.”
“In May, I launched our new strategy to reduce suicide and self-harm Connecting for Life 2026-2035. Suicide rates have fallen by a third since the start of the century, but we want to go further and reduce them to 7 per 100,000 people or lower by 2035. This progress is only possible through a strong cross-Government approach, the leadership of the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the commitment and support of our NGO partners.”
“If you’re struggling today or any day, please remember that it’s okay not to be okay and that you deserve support. Speak to your GP, visit yourmentalhealth.ie, call Samaritans on 116 123, or text HELLO to 50808 to take that first step towards feeling better.”
“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and on World Suicide Prevention Day, I encourage people across Ireland to start the conversation, check in with those around you, and remind anyone who may be struggling that help is available and you are not alone.”
The Minister also acknowledged the work of communities, voluntary organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, people with lived experience and frontline services across the country who continue to contribute to suicide prevention efforts every day.
The Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and partner organisations are developing the first implementation plan for Connecting for Life 2026-2035. Covering the period 2026-2028, it will set out specific actions across Government, the HSE and partner organisations to drive progress in reducing suicide and self-harm.