Ireland’s Strategy to Reduce Suicide and Self-harm: Connecting for Life 2026–2035 sets out Ireland’s national approach to reducing suicide and self-harm over the next decade, building on previous national suicide and self-harm reduction strategies, including Reach Out (2005–2014) and Connecting for Life (2015–2024). The strategy aims to deliver a sustained reduction in suicide and self-harm and to ensure that people have access to timely, compassionate, and effective supports.It sets a national target to reduce the suicide rate to 7 per 100,000 or lower by 2035 and adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

The strategy is structured around five domains:

• Preventing suicide and self-harm, reducing stigma and addressing social determinants
• Restricting access to means and methods
• Implementing effective responses for people in suicidal distress or with experience of self-harm
• Ensuring compassionate, coordinated and accessible postvention support
• Establishing evidence, surveillance systems and supporting structures

P. 46 - Domain 1 – Preventing suicide and self-harm,reducing stigma and addressing the social determinants. A public health approach to suicide and self-harm reduction recognises the important influence of social determinants. This means looking at the risk factors for suicide and self-harm from a societal point of view. People who took part in the public consultation for this strategy emphasised that lasting progress means tackling these underlying social factors, and ensuring accessible, high-quality care. This domain addresses a wide range of social and commercial risk factors including, disadvantage, gambling harms, alcohol and drug misuse, and online activity. It also considers individual risk factors and targeted suicide and self-harm prevention programmes. Enhanced surveillance and research will further improve understanding of these societal and individual risk factors over the lifetime of the strategy. This domain also supports the implementation of the National Mental Health Promotion Plan, Pathways to Wellbeing. It aligns with other national programmes such as Healthy Ireland where suicide and self-harm reduction is embedded into broader health and wellbeing initiatives. These are across settings such as workplaces, prisons, farms, colleges and sporting bodies, and across areas of disadvantage.

Note from the Department of Health: Content advisory This report contains information or content relating to suicide and/or self-harm, that some people could find challenging. For example; You could find it upsetting or disturbing, You could overly identify with it - personally or professionally, It might have a negative impact on you in other ways.
With this in mind, it is advised that you: Are mindful and aware of your own needs and self-care in this space, Take a break at any point you feel you need to. If you are concerned about your mental health or that of someone you know, please access the HSE website www.yourmentalhealth.ie.This website is a ‘one-stop-shop’ portal for people seeking information on trusted mental health supports and services, including information on accessing urgent help.