Minister Daly, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, today officially launched Connecting for Life - Waterford. This local plan is based on the same vision, goals, objectives and measurable outcomes as outlined in the national strategy, Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to reduce Suicide 2015 – 2020.
Connecting for Life, sets out a vision where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
This vision is to be realised through seven goals:
Better understanding of suicidal behaviour
Supporting communities to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour
Targeted approaches for those vulnerable to suicide
Improved access, consistency and integration of services
Safe and high-quality services
Reduce access to means
Better data and research
Connecting for Life: Waterford runs from 2017 to 2020 inclusive. Its vision is a County Waterford where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Minister Daly commented: “This Waterford suicide prevention plan sets out a roadmap to address suicide and self-harm. It is important that we all continue to work together, at all levels, to identify people at risk and to ensure that appropriate services are in place to provide the help and support needed. If we do this, I believe that we will achieve our goal of fewer lives lost to suicide.”
The Minister went on to thank all those involved, “The plan launched today is the result of the hard work of a huge number of individuals, community groups, statutory and non-government agencies, working together to promote positive mental health. I congratulate all involved in the creation of this plan.”
Further Information
Have you been affected by suicide, self-harm, or just need to talk?
Support is available for you now:
Anyone in crisis can get support through their GP.
Round-the-clock psychiatric care is available at the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital, where care is provided out-of-hours by on-call psychiatrists.
• Contact your local GP.
• Go to the Emergency Department of your nearest hospital
• Contact emergency services by calling 999 or 112
• Call the Samaritans, the FREE 24-hour listening service, Call 116 123
• Call Pieta House, a FREE 24-hour crisis line at 1800 247 247
• Call Childline, 24-hour service at 1800 66 66 66
For further information and a list of other supports please access:
www.yourmentalhealth.ie
www.bereaved.ie