Pieta urges government to prioritise investment in suicide prevention

On World Suicide Prevention Day, Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity, is calling on the government to make Ireland's suicide and self-harm prevention services a top priority by providing increased funding and support.

The release of Pieta’s 2023 Annual Report and new five-year plan highlights the increasing pressure on Ireland’s suicide and self-harm prevention services due to rising demand and insufficient funding.

Suicide is the leading cause of death among 15 to 34-year-olds in Ireland.

With one in five individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, and approximately 500 suicides in Ireland annually - nearly three times the number of road deaths - there is an urgent need for strengthened supports and services.

In the past year alone, Pieta responded to over 103,000 calls and texts from individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or the loss of a loved one to suicide. The charity provided nearly 51,000 hours of professional intervention and bereavement counselling, supporting nearly 7,000 people in person and over 4,600 through remote counselling.

Pieta’s Chief Executive Stephanie Manahan, emphasises the growing need for government support.

“More demand and pressures on our mental health services is a growing trend, and suicide and self-harm prevention is no exception. While it’s encouraging that more people are seeking support, our ability to maintain current levels of service is under threat without increased funding.

“Our annual report shows that last year was another busy year for Pieta, with over 100,000 calls and texts to our crisis helpline and more than 3 million minutes of potentially life-saving conversations.

“The report shows us that the mental health crisis is not only ongoing but, sadly, it is deepening, and additional resources are essential to address this urgent need effectively.”

Alongside the annual report, Pieta has unveiled its new five-year plan for 2024-2028 – Hope In Action.

This strategy outlines the charity’s plans to enhance community engagement and develop targeted services to meet the evolving needs of those at risk. While public donations have been instrumental, they alone are not sufficient for long-term sustainability.

Pieta is calling on the government to make a significant investment in suicide and self-harm prevention services.

CEO Manahan adds: “We are deeply grateful for the continuing extraordinary support from the Irish public through donations and fundraising. However, achieving long-term impact requires a substantial and sustained investment from the state.

“On World Suicide Prevention Day, we urge the government to prioritise and invest in sustainable suicide and self-harm prevention services to ensure that every individual in need receives the support they deserve.”