Minister Butler Appoints Expert Advisory Group for Ireland’s Next Suicide Reduction Strategy
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 4 September 2025
- Last updated on: 4 September 2025
Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD has appointed 22 members to an Expert Advisory Group to guide the development of Ireland’s next national suicide reduction strategy.
The new strategy, building on Connecting for Life (2015-2024), will set out the Government’s approach to suicide reduction, intervention, and postvention from 2026 onwards. The Expert Advisory Group for the next suicide reduction strategy will play a central role in shaping the strategy, ensuring it is informed by the latest evidence, cross-sectoral expertise, and the lived experience of those affected by suicide.
The expert group, chaired by Dr Eileen Williamson, former CEO of the National Suicide Research Foundation, comprises 22 members representing clinical, academic, policy, and community sectors.
A parallel Lived Experience Reference Group will work closely with the Advisory Group to ensure that lived experience is central to the development of the strategy. This group will be chaired by Joe O'Donovan and coordinated by the National Suicide Research Foundation.
The work of both Groups will be informed by the recent public consultation for the new strategy which was launched by the Minister in March of this year. The Department of Health received almost 2,000 responses to the consultation, including the participation of over 200 members of the public and professionals in a series of focus groups.
Speaking at the first meeting of the Expert Group this week Minister Butler, said:
“I am grateful to each of the members for agreeing to join our Expert Advisory Group to guide the next phase of our national response to suicide. The combined expertise and commitment from this group will be instrumental in developing a strategy that is both ambitious, compassionate and deeply rooted in the realities faced by individuals, families, and communities across Ireland.”
“Ensuring the voices of lived and living experience are included in the development of policy is critically important to me. I want to thank Joe O’Donovan for taking on the important role of chairing a parallel Lived Experience Reference Group to ensure the insights of people with experience of suicide inform the work of the expert group.”
Dr Eileen Williamson, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group, commented:
“This is a unique opportunity to shape a national strategy that truly reflects the complexity of suicide and self-harm in Ireland. Our work will be grounded in evidence, but also in empathy. We are committed to listening deeply, thinking critically, and working collaboratively to ensure that the next strategy is both effective and inclusive.”
Joe O'Donovan, Chair of the Lived Experience Reference Group, said:
Lived experience is not just a perspective - it’s a vital source of insight. Our group represents those who have experience of suicidal behaviour, experience of suicide bereavement and experience of supporting a friend or family loved member through suicidal behaviour. We will ensure that the voices of those who have been directly impacted by suicide are heard, respected, and reflected in measures that need to be delivered by the next strategy.”
The Expert Advisory Group will deliver its initial report and recommendations before the end of the year, with continued advisory support through to March 2026.
Notes to editor:
Connecting for Life
The new strategy will build on the foundation laid by Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide, which ran from 2015 to 2024. Grounded in international best practice, Connecting for Life provided a comprehensive framework for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention across the country. It prioritised a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, and its impact is currently being evaluated to inform the next phase of strategy development.
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Members of Expert Advisory Group |
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Organisation/Area |
Representative |
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Chair |
Dr Eileen Williamson |
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Coroner Society |
Coroners’ Society President. Mr. James J. Kelly |
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Academic Expert |
Prof Ella Arensman, Head of UCC's School of Public Health, Research Professor School of Public Health and Chief Scientist, National Suicide Research Foundation. |
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National Suicide Research Foundation |
Dr Eve Griffin, CEO National Suicide Research Foundation
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Department of Health: Public Health/Sharing the Vision |
Prof Philip Dodd, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Mental Health Policy Specialist |
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Department of Education: National Educational Psychological Service |
Assistant Director of NEPS, Sharon Eustace |
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HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Office |
Donan Kelly, Assistant National Director |
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Executive Clinical Director |
Dr Yolande Ferguson, Dublin South Central Mental Health Services |
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An Garda Síochána |
Detective Superintendent Derek Maguire, Garda National Protective Services Bureau |
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HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention |
John Meehan, Assistant National Director |
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HSE Regional Health Area Representative |
Tony Canavan, REO West North West |
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HSE Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention |
Niamh Crudden Sarah Hearne |
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Health Economist |
Brendan Kennelly, Senior Lecturer and Health Economist, University of Galway |
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Lived Experience Panel |
Joe O'Donovan (Chair) |
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HSE Clinical Programmes |
Dr Amir Niazi, National Clinical Advisor & Group Lead for Mental Health |
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HSE Social Inclusion |
Lisa Robson, A/GM Social Inclusion |
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Department of Health: Health and Wellbeing |
Aleisha Clarke, Assistant Principal |
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Primary Care Representative |
Dr Bríd Shanahan, Deep End Ireland |
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HSE Public Health |
Prof Diarmuid O’Donovan, Director of National Health Improvement |
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Central Statistics Office |
John Dunne, Head of Division for Health & Cohesion Tim Linehan, Head of Division for Life Events & Demography |
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Department of Social Protection |
Noel Hand - Principal - Community Welfare Service (CWS) |
Support is always available
If you, or someone you know needs support, visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie – for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area.
You can get help through:
- text HELLO to 50808 anytime day or night (24/7) to text with a trained listening volunteer
- your GP
- Emergency Department
- HSE Mental Health Services
- yourmentalhealth.ie or telephone information line 1800 111 888 - anytime day or night, for information on mental health services in your area. Mental health supports and services - HSE.ie
- Samaritans on 116 123
- Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444
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.