Suicide Prevention in South Tipperary – Have Your Say

A series of public meetings will be held over the coming weeks to develop a Suicide Prevention Action Plan for South Tipperary. These public meetings will be hosted by community partners to help identify local needs and to develop a local strategy that can improve mental health and prevent suicidal behaviour in South Tipperary.

These public meetings will build on the recent launch of Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Prevent Suicide 2015-2020. The development of local suicide prevention action plans is a key recommendation of the National Strategy because local needs are different across the country.  The development of the local plan for South Tipperary will be informed by what emerges from these public meetings.

Suicide Prevention is an issue of huge importance to communities across Ireland.   In South Tipperary, we are experiencing suicide rates that are higher than the national average.   We all share a deep concern about suicide that can drive us to make positive changes and to embrace the idea that “suicide prevention is everyone’s business”.  That is why everyone is invited to take part and to have a say.

The first meeting will take place on Thursday, 7^th April 2016.  These public meetings will be facilitated by Community Consultants in conjunction with South Tipperary Suicide Prevention Planning Group, a group that includes members from relevant statutory, community and voluntary organisations.  The following are the key areas identified by the National Strategy and will be discussed at each meeting:

• Promoting a better understanding of suicidal behavior and mental health
• Supporting communities to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour
• Using targeted approaches to support those vulnerable to suicidal behaviour

Details for each of the public meetings are as follows:

Thursday 7^th April 2016 from 7pm – 9pm: The Knockenrawley Resource Centre, Tipperary Town

Thursday 14^th April 2016 from 7pm – 9pm: The Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel

Thursday 21^st April 2016 from 7pm – 9pm:  The Millennium Family Resource Centre, Glengoole

Thursday 28^th April 2016 8pm – 10pm: The NanoNagle Resource Centre, Carrick on Suir

Ms. Tracy Nugent, HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention said, “This is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and to help shape our local response in South Tipperary.  If we work together on the development of the local action plan for South Tipperary it will be far more effective when it comes to implementing the action plan.”

Ms. Phil Shanahan from South Tipperary Development Company advised, “Alongside the public meetings, we will be speaking to priority and vulnerable groups including young people and groups who are experiencing social exclusion and who may need extra support.”

All you need to do is arrive on the night and bring your ideas and thoughts on suicide prevention and the promotion of positive mental health in our communities.   If you cannot attend a meeting, you are invited to make a written submission outlining your concerns/ ideas by email.

For further details on the consultation process and guidance on how to make a written submission please emailcommunityconsultants@eircom.net or tracy.nugent@hse.ie

For help or support you can contact the Samaritans on Free Phone 116 123 or log on to www.yourmentalhealth.ie