Director appointed to suicide prevention body

The key post of director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has finally been filled after being vacant for over a year.

Gerry Raleigh, a trained psychiatric nurse and former director of St John of Gods Services in Dublin West, is due to take up the post next week.

His appointment comes at a time when preliminary figures for death by suicide for the first quarter of 2012 show a 19% increase — from 95 to 113 — over the same period last year.

The CSO data shows 90 males and 23 females took their own lives in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 82 males and 13 females the previous year.

In Sep 2011, Geoff Day resigned from the post having expressed frustration at the office’s lack of resources and resultant inability to carry out its functions properly.

Catherine Brogan was appointed in an “acting” capacity, but left after three months when she was seconded to the Department of Health.

Since then, Martin Rogan, HSE assistant national director, mental health services, filled in.

Yesterday he welcomed the appointment of Mr Raleigh, as did mental health minister, Kathleen Lynch. “The area of suicide prevention is very challenging and I look forward to working with Mr Raleigh in developing initiatives to prevent the tragic loss of life through suicide,” Ms Lynch said.

The office, responsible for the implementation and monitoring of Reach Out, the national strategy on action for suicide prevention, has just four staff. Yesterday the HSE said the NOSP was “now focused on how greater integration and cohesiveness can be brought to the sector”.

It said Mr Raleigh has considerable experience in managing primary and community care services and has worked extensively in mental health and disabilities with particular interest in working with NGO partners in the area of mental health promotion, and suicide prevention.