Minister Mary Butler marks World Suicide Prevention Day 2024
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 10 September 2024
- Last updated on: 13 September 2024
Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, is today marking international World Suicide Prevention Day. The global theme for 2024 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, which aims to change our perception of suicide and move from a culture where suicide is stigmatised to one in which there is openness and understanding surrounding this issue.
This theme is very much in line with Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide Ireland, and its focus on stigma reduction and talking openly about mental health difficulties.
Suicide is a very complex issue, but by having open and honest discussions with our friends, loved ones, and colleagues we can help destigmatise the issue and contribute to a more supportive culture where help-seeking is encouraged.
Speaking on world suicide prevention day, Minister Butler welcomed the ‘Promoting Safe and Sensitive Media Reporting of Suicide’ conference being held in Dublin this Thursday 12 September.
Minister Butler said:
"On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to help change the narrative on suicide. The ‘Promoting Safe and Sensitive Media Reporting of Suicide’ conference on Thursday will help us work towards that. This event will encourage media to adhere to guidelines around the reporting of suicide as part of our efforts to reduce suicide, in line with Connecting for Life."
Minister Butler further underlined the importance of seeking help:
"By heeding the call to ‘Start the Conversation’ this year we can help those who are going through a difficult time to feel more comfortable seeking help.
"In Ireland the majority of those who die by suicide are men. Men who are fathers, brothers, uncles, sons. As Minister for Mental Health and Older People I believe it is imperative that we encourage men in particular to speak out and seek help, to let them know that help is available. And help is always available.
"Preventing the tragedy of suicide remains a key priority for me and the government as a whole, and it is hugely important that we keep working to reduce suicide in Ireland."
Minister Butler last week launched the 2024 ‘Green Ribbon’ campaign where she spoke about the negative impact of stigma, and the importance of challenging it, so that we can move towards a more tolerant and compassionate society.
Support is always available
Always signpost to supports whenever talking about suicide. Many services are open 24/7 and you can make contact in different ways, for example:
- on the phone – Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.ie or freephone 116 123
- by text message – Text About It, text HELLO to 50808, visit www.textaboutit.ie
- online – MyMind, visit www.mymind.org
- face-to-face – Pieta, visit www.pieta.ie or freephone 1800 247 247
You can also call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, anytime day or night, for information on mental health, and what other services and supports are available near you – freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie.
Notes
Global statistics
https://www.iasp.info/wp-content/uploads/World-Suicide-Prevention-Day-Facts-Figures-2024.pdf
- suicide is a global challenge. Suicide ranks consistently among the top 20 causes of death globally across all age groups. One in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of suicide. It can affect every one of us
- an estimated 703,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year
- over half (58%) of all deaths by suicide occur before the age of 50 years old
- suicide occurs across all regions in the world, however, over three quarters (77%) of global suicides in 2019 occurred in low and middle-income countries
Irish statistics
Official statistics on the numbers of people who have died by suicide in Ireland, are published by the Central Statistics Office.
| Year | Number of people who died by suicide in Ireland |
| 2023 | 302 |
| 2022 | 412 |
| 2021 | 449 |
Note: Provisional figures only, excluding late registered deaths (CSO Table VSD30).
Media reporting
When covering the topic of suicide, the HSE recommends that media adhere to Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide - research evidence shows that certain types of media depictions, such as explicitly describing a method, sensational and excessive reporting, can lead to imitational suicidal behaviour among vulnerable people.
The topic of suicide should always be approached with care and compassion. It is important to use sensitive and non-stigmatising language when engaging in a conversation, talking or writing about suicide. Read more from the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention.
Free suicide prevention training from the HSE
For more information on suicide prevention training programmes available from the HSE, visit www.nosp.ie/training.
Access ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ – a free online suicide prevention training programme from the HSE NOSP.