Support services for those affected by suicide

Information

In Ireland, many people have a role to play in providing appropriate assistance within the first few hours following a death by suicide. These people include the Gardai, Coroners, health professionals, funeral directors, etc. If you are, or have been bereaved by suicide you may experience a range of emotions including shock, disbelief, guilt and anger. As suicide may occur unexpectedly or be very sudden, this makes it traumatic for those left behind (particuarly for family and friends).

The Central Statistics Office in Ireland recorded the number of suicides that were registered in 2004 as 457. There were 189 suicides of people under 35, an 11% decrease on the 2003 figures. However, there were 268 suicides for those aged 35 and over, a 16% increase on 2003 figures. Males represented 78% of those who died by suicide, while females represented 22%. The provisional figures for 2005 are 432 suicides, of which 354 were male and 78 were female.

Even though this is an extremely difficult time, there are important practical and material matters that can and will arise after any death. Information for the Bereaved has been specially written to help guide you through all the issues and all the stages. It contains information such as what to do immediately after a death, possible social welfare entitlements, tax, financial and legal issues that can and will arise. This booklet also contains information about where to go for further information and support.

It's important to be aware that there are a range of organisations throughout Ireland that can help if you have been bereaved through suicide or if you find yourself in a supporting role to someone who has been bereaved in this way. Each situation involving suicide is different and people react in different ways.

If you are in a supporting role it is important to be extremely sensitive to the needs of the bereaved person. It's also important to know that if you are in a supportive role, there may come a time when you find that you can no longer offer the level or standard of support that is needed. The following organisations can help. They will offer you advice, information and support during this very distressing time and can also help put you in touch with other people in your area that have been through this experience.

National Office for Suicide Prevention

In September 2005 the Department of Health announced the establishment of a National Office for Suicide Prevention. The establishment of a National Office arose as a result of Ireland's National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention (pdf). The National Strategy is a ten-year plan setting out a range of actions to be taken by various State and non-governmental agencies targetting suicide prevention among specific target groups (e.g., young men, prisoners, general population, etc).

The National Office for Suicide Prevention oversees the implementation of the National Strategy and co-ordinate suicide prevention efforts around the country. It also works closely with the Health Sevice Executive's Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention.