Public urged to make input to plan
HSE PLAN TO CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES ON SUICIDE PREVENTION
THE HSE’s new strategy on suicide puts the emphasis on connecting with communities and working with them on preventing loss of life through self-harm.
This was the message put forward at the HSE’s Connecting for Lif{e strategy consultation for a regional plan to be published next January which was held at Ballymacmascanlon Hotel recently.
Mr Pat Bennett, chief officer of the Community Healthcare Organisation, explained that the regional action plan includes Louth, Meath. and the midland counties.
‘It’s about creating awareness around suicide and self-harm. There have been a lot of strategies and it’s fair to say they have not worked. It has gotten worse though there is some evidence of a decrease lately, but it’s very worrying’.
‘ The vision is to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide and self-harm (which are on the increase) and for people to be empowered to improve their mental health and well-being’.
He said that it was not a one size fits all approach and that they would be targeting all age cohorts and priority groups including the LGBT community, Travellers, farmers etc. ‘We will be culturally specific’.
The plan, which will be launched next year, also involves the Gardai, Tusla, local authorities, community groups and voluntary organisations.
The plan aims at improving understanding of the issues which lead to suicide, the community capacity to respond to and prevent suicide/self-harm; providing better accesss to support such as GPs and counsellors, high quality services for people experiencing difficulties in thier lieves and reducing
Siobhan McArdle, Head of Mental Health Services Midlands, Louth Meath CHO outlined the background to the setting up of Connecting for Life:‘We are developing a plan for engagement and asking people what we can do to help raise awareness of mental health and well-being and suicide prevention.’
‘ There is a postcard campaign underway and these cards will be available at council offices, HSE hospitals and facilities, Garda stations etc,’ she said, adding that they want members of the public to fill out an online survey at www.hse.ie.
Paper copies of the survey can be returned, or requested, by email suicide. prevention1@hse.ie or through the local Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, Sandra Okomeon at 087 1321344
Cllr Mark Deary has suggested that the Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce include this consultation process on the agenda of their next meeting.
Cllr. Anne Campbell said: ‘I would urge everyone to make their views known on how better society as a whole can respond to, and prevent, suicide and self-harm. These are issues that have affected every family in Ireland and I’m pleased to see that the HSE says it is going to listen and take on board the views of people in Louth’.