Suicide prevention in Ireland: We have come a long way

One constant observation from the past decades of working with people with lived of experience of suicidal behaviour is that ‘people who attempt suicide don’t want to die, what they want is a different life’.

(Left to right) Joe D'Alton, Tom "Golly" Flynn and Cllr Mick Nugent of Shine A Light Suicide & Mental Health Awareness at a new friendship bench initiative in Cork last July. We have come a long way. Twenty years ago, the stigma associated with suicide was tangible. Picture: Denis Minihane

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme ‘Create Hope Through Action’, aims to draw attention to this important public health issue globally, and by encouraging understanding and sharing experiences, this theme gives people the confidence to take action. 

This year marks exactly 20 years since World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is a significant advocacy and awareness event aimed at reaching national organisations, governments and the general public, giving a singular message that suicide is preventable.