10% reduction in Kilkenny suicide rates expected by 2020

A new suicide prevention action plan for Kilkenny was launched by TD Jim Daly, Minister for Mental Health and older people, at an event yesterday morning in Parade Tower. ‘Connecting For Life Kilkenny’ has a vision to reduce Kilkenny’s suicide rates by 10% by 2020.

Facilitated by the HSE/South East Community Healthcare, Connecting for Life Kilkenny is the result of a comprehensive process of consultation and engagement which first began in 2015. It involved the people of Kilkenny city and county areas, and those who provide services to them, developing a roadmap to address suicide and self-harm in the area from now until 2020.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Eamon Aylward has praised the initiative, saying that it will “bring mental illness on par with other illnesses, which it should be. Mental health is no different than any other illness. There should be no more stigma”. He claimed the local authority was delighted to be associated with the assembly of the plan and would be very much involved in ensuring its implementation.  

The panel of speakers at the launch included Aylward, Liz Kinsella (Head of Service for HSE Mental Health), Trish Finnegan (Chairperson of Lifelinkk), John Meehan (HSE Assistant National Director), Martin Rafter (Kilkenny LEADER Partnership) and Minister Jim Daly.

Daly had spent the morning before the event in Kilkenny visiting Teach Tom. Here, he heard founder Angela Hayes’ tragic story, having lost both her husband and her son to suicide. He praised Angela and Teach Tom, stating that he was amazed that “out of such terrible tragedy, such beauty can be born- such courage, dedication and sense of community”.

The Minister believes that Connecting For Life will be a huge success in Kilkenny, as “The people of Kilkenny have a huge awareness of the issue, and a strong desire to deal with it. The local community must be commended here for accepting their responsibility in suicide prevention.”

“There has been a very collaborative process here in Co. Kilkenny and I would like to congratulate all those involved. I’m delighted to launch the Kilkenny plan, which reflects accountability and is responsive, evidence based and adaptive to change over its three year implementation period.”

The Minister was joined at the launch by Tracy Nugent (Regional Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, HSE/South East Community Healthcare), representatives from Kilkenny County Council, the Gardaí, and various voluntary agencies and community groups.

The audience at the launch also included local public representatives in the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency, local mental health service users, people bereaved by suicide and those from communities in Co. Kilkenny who contributed through submissions to the formation of Connecting for Life Kilkenny.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. John Meehan (Assistant National Director and the Lead for the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention) said the new plan “details the actions that various organisations – including the HSE – will implement to realise the vision of Co. Kilkenny where fewer lives are lost through suicide.”

Meanwhile, Liz Kinsella (Head of Service for Mental Health, South East Community Healthcare) hopes the plan will establish “better understanding of suicidal behaviour and supporting communities to prevent and respond to issues associated with suicidal behaviour.”

Martin Rafter (Social Inclusion Programmes Manager with Kilkenny Leader Partnership) also spoke at the launch, saying: “The rate of suicide in the Kilkenny is of concern. There is no part of our city and county that has not been affected. There is a sense of isolation for many. The submission process in Co. Kilkenny was able to address that, in addition to feedback from priority groups like young people, the LGBTI community, the Traveller community, mental health service users, those living in rural isolation and those affected by drug/alcohol use to name but a few. I am looking forward to the plan building and acting on what has been learned.”

Trish Finegan (Chairperson of Lifelinkk, Kilkenny) told the launch: “For those of us in the community working on suicide prevention and promotion of mental health wellness, we are pleased to see the launch of this comprehensive action plan. We are looking forward to all the stakeholders working together on a strong, whole community response.”