25 June, 2015 - Minister O’Sullivan welcomes new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Commits to 100% support from education sector for ‘vital plan’

The Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD, today welcomed the launch for Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015 -2020.

Speaking following the launch Jan O’Sullivan said, “Suicide prevention is an urgent issue. There are many families and communities which have been affected by the reality of suicide. Compared to our European neighbours Ireland has a high rate of suicide among 15-25 year olds. This new national plan seeks to bring all partners in the health, education, community and voluntary sector together so that we have a co-ordinated approach to suicide prevention and self-harm, and also that we foster a positive approach to mental health and well-being through understanding the importance of  prevention and early intervention”.

“I am particularly pleased that education will play a key role in the implementation of important elements of the strategy. Schools, colleges and youth organisations have a major role to play in our national strategy to reduce suicide,” continued Minister O’Sullivan.

“I will be leading my Department’s role in this new strategy in areas such as:

·        The support for schools in implementation of the well-being and mental health promotion guidelines at primary and post-primary level

·        Continued work on the National Anti-Bullying plan, including homophobic and cyber bullying

·        Development and implementation of the new ‘Well Being’ programme at Junior Cycle level

·        Provision of mental health awareness training for school staff

These are important initiatives that have my full support and I look forward as Minister for Education to playing my role, alongside my colleague Minister Kathleen Lynch, in a national plan that can and will reduce the tragic incidence of suicide.”

ENDS