Gerry Raleigh joins National Office for Suicide Prevention

Mullingar man Gerry Raleigh has been appointed as the new director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), the HSE announced last week.His role, when he takes up his post later this month, will be to lead the work of the office, which is now focused on how greater integration and cohesiveness can be brought to the sector.Mr Raleigh's previous roles include director of St John of Gods Services in Dublin West and director of City Gate, a housing service for people who have accessed mental health services.He has considerable experience in managing primary and community care services and has worked extensively in mental health and disabilities, with a particular interest in working with NGO partners in the area of mental health promotion and suicide prevention.A trained psychiatric nurse who has a BA in Healthcare Management and a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources, Mr Raleigh also managed disability services in the midlands and community services in Laois, Offaly.Martin Rogan, HSE assistant national director of Mental Health Services, said: "Mr Raleigh has demonstrated his ability in bringing together agencies working in the area of suicide prevention from both the statutory and non statutory sector. Suicide prevention in Ireland is a key public health concern, and Mr Raleigh's appointment will be one further step in allowing the NOSP, frontline services and communities to better understand issues related to suicide and deliver programmes and services that meet the needs of those at risk or affected by suicide."The NOSP was established to oversee the implementation of Reach Out the national strategy for action on the prevention of suicide.