Government launches Ireland’s Strategy to Reduce Suicide and Self-harm: Connecting for Life 2026–2035
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 27 May 2026
- Last updated on: 27 May 2026
The Government today published Connecting for Life 2026–2035, Ireland’s new ten-year, whole-of-government strategy to further reduce suicide and self-harm.
The strategy sets out a clear vision of an Ireland where fewer lives are lost to suicide and where people have access to the supports they need. It includes an ambitious target to reduce the rate of suicide to 7 per 100,000 or below by 2035.
The strategy builds on meaningful progress made over the past two decades, during which the suicide rate has fallen by a third (32%) between 2000 and 2023.
Each death by suicide represents a profound loss felt by families, friends, and communities. The complex range of factors that influence suicide and self-harm underline the importance of continuing to work together in a sustained and determined way across society to reduce suicide and support those affected.
The strategy prioritises compassionate, person-centred care, with a focus on:
- Strengthened crisis supports in hospitals and communities
- Expanded community-based services
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Improved access to supports for those experiencing self-harm
It also promotes open conversation and stigma reduction to encourage help-seeking.
Lived experience has been central to the strategy’s development, informed by nearly 1,900 public submissions.
As a result, there is a stronger focus in the new strategy on supporting people bereaved by suicide, including enhanced bereavement services, a new national postvention framework, and improved inquest supports.
An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD said:
“Every death by suicide is a tragedy that leaves a deep and lasting impact on families, communities and our society as a whole. While we have made important progress, even one death is one too many. This new strategy represents our collective commitment to build on that progress and to address the root causes of suicide and self-harm. It will require a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, and I am confident that, working together, we can create a future where more people feel supported, valued and hopeful.”
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said:
“This strategy reflects our ambition to deliver high-quality, accessible and compassionate care for everyone who needs it. By strengthening services in our hospitals and communities, and by embedding mental health across broader health reform, we are ensuring that individuals receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This is about delivering real and meaningful change for people, families and communities across Ireland.”
Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD said:
“Over the past six years as Minister for Mental Health, I have sat with many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends who have been bereaved by suicide and listened to their stories. I have felt the devastation of their loss, and it’s what drives me every day to continue our progress in reducing suicide.
“I am grateful to each of the 1,900 people who shared their lived experience to inform this strategy, and I am determined to deliver the change people have called for, including increasing investment in suicide bereavement services and placing a greater focus on postvention.
“We will continue to invest in innovative, community-based supports such as Crisis Resolution Teams, Crisis ‘Solace’ Cafés and Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses. Our focus remains on expanding access to alternatives to presenting to hospitals, while also strengthening the capacity of emergency departments to respond with timely and compassionate care when needed.
“Importantly, this strategy will also prioritise groups most at risk of suicide, including the Traveller and LGBT communities. We have a responsibility to ensure we provide targeted and culturally sensitive supports where vulnerable communities experience greater discrimination and distress.”
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Minister Boxer Moran said:
“The success of this strategy depends on collaboration across Government, communities and services. By working together and addressing the social and economic factors that impact wellbeing, we can reduce suicide and self-harm and support people to live healthy, fulfilling lives. This strategy reinforces our shared responsibility to act and to support one another. If you or someone you know is in distress, support is available. Reaching out can make a difference. Together, we can build a more compassionate and resilient Ireland.”
Anne O’Connor, CEO of the HSE, said:
“I am proud to welcome Ireland’s new Strategy to Reduce Suicide and Self-harm, Connecting for Life 2026–2035, which is an ambitious and important step forward in how we support and protect people across our communities. I as CEO, am fully committed to supporting all our staff to deliver a safer, more compassionate health service for all, where mental health is prioritised, and suicide and self-harm are reduced. Together with the Department of Health, the HSE – supported by strong governance and implementation structures nationally, and in each of our Health Regions – is fully committed to turning this strategy into real, meaningful action.”
Implementation will be supported by strong governance and cross-government collaboration, with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and partners working together to deliver measurable progress.
Ireland’s Strategy to Reduce Suicide and Self-harm: Connecting for Life 2026–2035 reflects a renewed national commitment to reducing suicide and self-harm through compassion, evidence, and partnership.
Notes to Editors:
General
Use neutral and simple terms, such as ‘die by suicide’, ‘died by suicide’, ‘death by suicide’, or ‘ended his/her/their own life’. The term ‘committed suicide’ is not used because the word ‘committed’ is often associated with crime (suicide in Ireland was decriminalised in 1993) or sin, neither of which is a helpful association.
Use person-centred, or person-first terminology where possible. Avoid using terminology that labels a person singly by their method of death, or by their experiences. For example, ‘a person who died by suicide’ is preferred to describing a person as ‘a suicide’. ‘A person bereaved by suicide’ is preferred to ‘a bereaved person’. Say a ‘person who self-harms’ as opposed to ‘a self-harmer’.
For media
If you are a journalist or media professional covering a suicide-related topic, follow the Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide and Preventing Suicide, a resource for media professionals (World Health Organisation) – because of the potentially harmful consequences of irresponsible reporting.
For example, describing a means or method of suicide or self-harm, has considerable potential for harm (especially to people who are bereaved or feeling vulnerable) and can create learned or imitative behaviour (especially with people who might be at risk).
The guidelines strongly recommend including signposting to accessible, trusted sources of support, for anyone impacted by the themes in any coverage.
Some top tips:
- Include references to suicide being preventable and signpost sources of support, such as Samaritans’ helpline. This can encourage people to seek help, which could save lives.
- Steer clear of language that sensationalises or glorifies suicide. Avoid dramatic headlines and strong terms such as ‘suicide epidemic’.
- Don’t refer to a specific site or location as popular or known for deaths by suicide, for example, ‘notorious site’ or ‘hot spot’ and refrain from providing information, such as the height of a bridge or cliff.
- Avoid dramatic, emotive or sensational pictures or video footage. Excessive imagery can glamourise a death or lead vulnerable individuals to over-identify with the deceased.
- Avoid excessive amounts of coverage and overly prominent placement of stories, such as a frontpage splash, and do not link to previous stories about suicide.
- Treat social media with particular caution and avoid mentioning or linking to comments, or websites/forums that promote or glamourise suicide. Similarly, it is safer not to open comments sections on suicide stories and careful consideration should be given around the appropriateness of promoting stories through push notifications.
- Including content from suicide notes or similar messages left by a person who has died should be avoided. This could increase the likelihood of people identifying with the deceased. It may also romanticise a suicide or cause distress to the bereaved family and friends.
- Speculation about the ‘trigger’ or cause of a suicide can oversimplify the issue and should be avoided. Suicide is extremely complex and most of the time there is no single event or factor that leads someone to take their own life.
Signposting to accessible, trusted sources of support
Samaritans are available 24 hours every day, for confidential, non-judgmental support.
- Freephone 116 123 anytime day or night.
- Email jo@samaritans.ie
- Visit www.samaritans.ie
Pieta provide a range of suicide and self-harm prevention and bereavement services.
- Freephone 1800 247247 anytime day or night.
- Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply).
- Visit www.pieta.ie
Text About It is a free, anonymous, messaging support service.
- Text HELLO to 50808 anytime day or night.
- Visit www.textaboutit.ie, where a WhatsApp option is also available.
Visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for more information on how to mind your mental health, support others, and to find a support service in your area. The HSE Your Mental Health information line is a phone service you can call with information on mental health support and services and how to access them. Freephone 1800 111 888 anytime day or night.
Men can also visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie/men for information on free and accessible counselling support. For example, men can now access six free counselling sessions with MyMind, via a GP. Free, confidential telephone support for men is also now available, from Connect Counselling, seven days every week between 5pm and 9pm – on 1800 577 577.