Minister Mary Butler welcomes launch of national suicide and self-harm strategy 

The Government has published 'Connecting for Life 2026–2035', Ireland’s new 10-year, whole Government strategy to further reduce suicide and self-harm.

The strategy sets out a clear vision of an Ireland where far fewer lives are lost to suicide and where people have access to the supports they need. 

It includes an ambitious target to reduce the rate of suicide to 7 per 100,000 or below by 2035.

Waterford's, Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD said: “Over the past six years as Minister for Mental Health, I have sat with many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends who have been bereaved by suicide and listened to their stories. I have felt the devastation of their loss, and it’s what drives me every day to continue our progress in reducing suicide."

“I am grateful to each of the 1,900 people who shared their lived experience to inform this strategy, and I am determined to deliver the change people have called for, including increasing investment in suicide bereavement services and placing a greater focus on postvention," she said.

“We will continue to invest in innovative, community-based supports such as Crisis Resolution Teams, Crisis ‘Solace’ Cafés and Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses," she added.

Minister Butler went on to comment: "Our focus remains on expanding access to alternatives to presenting to hospitals, while also strengthening the capacity of emergency departments to respond with timely and compassionate care when needed."

“Importantly, this strategy will also prioritise groups most at risk of suicide, including the Traveller and LGBT communities," she said.

"We have a responsibility to ensure we provide targeted and culturally sensitive supports where vulnerable communities experience greater discrimination and distress," she added.

The strategy builds on meaningful progress made over the past two decades, during which the suicide rate fell by a third (32%) between 2000 and 2023.

Each death by suicide represents a profound loss felt by families, friends, and communities. 

The complex range of factors that influence suicide and self-harm underline the importance of continuing to work together in a sustained and determined way across society to reduce suicide and support those affected.

The new strategy prioritises compassionate, person-centred care, with a focus on: Strengthened crisis supports in hospitals and communities; Expanded community-based services; Trauma-informed approaches, and improved access to supports for those experiencing self-harm. 

It also promotes open conversation and stigma reduction to encourage help-seeking.

Lived Experience 

Lived experience has been central to the strategy’s development, informed by nearly 1,900 public submissions.

As a result, there is a stronger focus in the new strategy on supporting people bereaved by suicide, including enhanced bereavement services, a new national postvention framework, and improved inquest supports.

Commenting at the launch, Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD said: “Every death by suicide is a tragedy that leaves a deep and lasting impact on families, communities and our society as a whole. While we have made important progress, even one death is one too many. This new strategy represents our collective commitment to build on that progress and to address the root causes of suicide and self-harm."

"It will require a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, and I am confident that, working together, we can create a future where more people feel supported, valued and hopeful," he said.

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “This strategy reflects our ambition to deliver high-quality, accessible and compassionate care for everyone who needs it. By strengthening services in our hospitals and communities, and by embedding mental health across broader health reform, we are ensuring that individuals receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time."

"This is about delivering real and meaningful change for people, families and communities across Ireland," she added.

Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Minister Boxer Moran said: “The success of this strategy depends on collaboration across Government, communities and services. By working together and addressing the social and economic factors that impact wellbeing, we can reduce suicide and self-harm and support people to live healthy, fulfilling lives."

"This strategy reinforces our shared responsibility to act and to support one another," he said.

"If you or someone you know is in distress, support is available. Reaching out can make a difference. Together, we can build a more compassionate and resilient Ireland.” 

Anne O’Connor, CEO of the HSE, also commented on the launch of the strategy, which she described as "an ambitious and important step forward" in how we support and protect people across our communities. 

"I as CEO, am fully committed to supporting all our staff to deliver a safer, more compassionate health service for all, where mental health is prioritised, and suicide and self-harm are reduced," she said.

"Together with the Department of Health, the HSE – supported by strong governance and implementation structures nationally, and in each of our health regions – is fully committed to turning this strategy into real, meaningful action," she added.

Implementation of the strategy will be supported by strong governance and cross-Government collaboration, with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and partners working together to deliver measurable progress.

Ms O'Connor also said the strategy reflects a renewed national commitment to reducing suicide and self-harm through compassion, evidence, and partnership.