Vision, objectives and guiding principles - Across EAG and LERG meetings, there was broad agreement on the direction of Ireland’s next national suicide and self-harm strategy. Members of both groups identified several areas where Connecting for Life could be strengthened, and there was a consistent focus on developing a clearer, more inclusive, and more responsive strategy.

Domain 1 - Preventing suicide and self-harm, reducing stigma and addressing the social determinants
...There was strong emphasis on risk factors linked to alcohol, drugs, and access to services. Members supported universal screening for alcohol and drug issues in Emergency Departments (EDs), improved wraparound models of care, and more flexible referral pathways into mental health services. Concerns were also raised about unregulated online pharmacies and prescription medication practices...

Domain 2 - Restricting access to means and methods
Domain 2 focuses on reducing access to the means of self-harm and suicide, reflecting strong agreement among members that effective prevention necessitates reducing access to means of suicide. Members of both groups placed significant focus on this area highlighting the need to improve regulation, oversight and protective measures. Alongside calls for strengthened controls on prescription practices, online pharmacies, and access to alcohol and drugs, members also emphasised the growing impact of online harms. In particular, concerns centred on the role of social media algorithms, AI-enabled interactions, and children’s exposure to harmful content, all of which were viewed as digital pathways that can increase vulnerability and require targeted restriction and regulation.

Domain 3 - Implementing effective responses for people in suicidal distress or with experience of self-harm
Across the meetings, there was strong agreement that Domain 3 must focus on building a system of care that is integrated, compassionate, timely, and easy to access, particularly during moments of suicidal crisis. Members broadly supported the direction of the domain, and the aim to deliver meaningful, practical improvements for people who need help, especially those navigating complex issues and suicidal crisis... There was strong emphasis on risk factors linked to alcohol, drugs and access to services. Members supported universal screening for alcohol and drug issues in EDs, improved wraparound models of care, and more flexible referral pathways into mental health services...

Domain 4 - Ensuring compassionate, coordinated and accessible support after a death by suicide
Across discussions, there was strong agreement around the importance of supporting individuals, families, and communities after a death by suicide, ensuring ethical and responsible media practice, and strengthening the systems that respond to clusters and bereavement...

Domain 5 - Establishing evidence, surveillance systems and supporting structures
Across all group discussions, there was strong agreement that Domain 5 is a critical foundation for the entire strategy. EAG and LERG members consistently underlined that robust data, high‑quality research, and effective monitoring systems are essential to understanding suicide patterns, identifying risk, informing action and evaluating impact...

P.19 Recommendations
A total of 49 recommendations across the five domains were agreed by the EAG, in collaboration with the LERG. These are set out in the report.