Citation

Chambers D, Arensman E, Corcoran P, Day G, Corcoran R, Connolly J. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 103.

Affiliation

National Office for Suicide Prevention, 1 Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork, Ireland. chambers.derek@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16964045

Abstract

The rate of suicide in Ireland increased steadily during the past 20 years (to around 13 per 100,000) and the rate of youth suicide is around fifth highest in the European Union. In response, Reach Out, a national prevention strategy, was launched in September 2005 following nationwide consultation. Implementation (in three phases) of this broad-based ten year strategy is being coordinated by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). Monitoring of implementation will be facilitated by the identification of broad time frames, lead agencies and 'deliverables' for each action in the strategy. Making the distinction between deliverables (process) and outcomes, the Irish strategy sets out what can be achieved (deliverable) but does not explicitly set out the potential impacts of each action (outcomes). This leads to a further distinction, i.e. between monitoring implementation and evaluation. Nevertheless, outcomes will be considered in relation to the actions in an independent evaluation of the strategy implementation at relevant intervals during the ten year programme. In the first year of implementation, the NOSP appointed an advisory group and established a national forum of stakeholders. In addition, a 12-point service plan was agreed for 2006, based around Phase 1 actions and covering issues such as: - Training and awareness, - Primary care and suicidal behaviour, - Treatment and support following DSH, - Review of bereavement support services. The first annual progress report on the implementation of Reach Out will be published in September 2006.

Language: en