Submission to the Joint Committee on Health & Children
On the draft report on suicide prevention by Committee Rapporteur, Senator John Gilroy
13th March 2014
1. Introduction
Console is an Irish suicide prevention and postvention charity (CHY15042) founded in 2002 to
initially provide professional help, support and information for those bereaved by suicide. Since then
Console has developed into a national organisation providing a variety of suicide postvention and
prevention services, supports and resources, including;
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Professional counselling and psychotherapy, provided by fully qualified and accredited
therapists from Console Centres in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Wexford, Tralee, Athlone
and Mayo.
Ireland’s only 24 hour Freephone suicide prevention and bereavement helpline, again
manned by fully qualified and accredited therapists, supporting those in crisis, bereaved or
supporting a loved one with suicidal ideation.
A wide range of information, training and education programmes and resources for
communities, agencies, workplaces and professionals.
Recent developments of note in the organisation include;
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The opening of Console’s first UK Centre, in Westminster, London (2013).
The introduction of the Family Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service in Counties Donegal,
Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Clare and Limerick/Nth Tipperary and in collaboration with the HSE
West (2014).
In 2012, Console published the National Quality Standards for the Provision of Suicide Bereavement
Services in collaboration with the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), in an effort to
provide a robust framework and self-assessment tool for any organisation providing postvention
support in Ireland.
Console – Submission to Joint Committee on Health & Children, 13 th March 2014
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2. Suicide and the recession
Console is in broad agreement with the findings outlined in Senator Gilroy’s report, on the rise in
suicide and self harm rates during time of economic recession. Increasingly since 2008, our work has
involved supporting individuals and families who are experiencing unemployment, financial
pressure, reduced employment prospects and mortgage stress. These additional factors have
greater potential for harm with those already vulnerable to mental ill-health.
Nonetheless, Console is also of the view that given the multi-faceted nature of death by suicide and
its varied risk factors and complexity, directly relating suicide to economic stress is not always
helpful. The over simplification of reasons behind suicide (in particular from a media perspective)
may be very harmful to those in similar situations and hurtful to those who have been bereaved by a
suicide loss.
3. How we gather information about suicide and self-harm
There is no doubt that the number of deaths recorded as suicide or intentional self harm, underrepresent the true numbers of such deaths in Ireland. In addition, given the current system, the
probable time lapse between the death and registration with the CSO, annual or monthly patterns
are skewed. The process of recording and registering such deaths is outdated and the provision of
much more timely and accurate statistics on suicide is crucial, if services are to respond to emerging
trends, geographical clusters or community crises effectively. Console is of the view that the
“Research Standard” noted in Senator Gilroy’s report (Sign Post 1) would go some way in addressing
these deficits.
Going further though, the inquest and coroners courts are often very traumatic and upsetting
experiences for bereaved families. In our experience of working with bereaved families for over 12
years, we have noticed a distinct lack of consistency across Coroners Courts in Ireland, with
extremely varied types of systems in place or levels of care afforded to bereaved families at such a
traumatic time.
Bearing in mind that some suicides may have been preceded by family difficulties, relationship
break-ups etc. the need of a bereaved family for support, privacy and sensitivity after such a
devastating loss, should remain paramount. In Scotland, a public inquest is not held, if all concerned
parties form a consensus about a suicide death; there must be a more compassionate way forward
with this process in Ireland.
Console – Submission to Joint Committee on Health & Children, 13 th March 2014
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4. Mapping
Console endorses the suggested development of the SATscan programme as noted in Senator
Gilroy’s report (Sign Post 2) and in particular it’s linking with first responders (i.e. Gardai). The
provision of accurate real time information is crucial if front-line service providers (such as Console)
are to effectively mobilise services, address educational and awareness deficits in communities and
respond to suicide in the most helpful way possible.
In addition, community agencies and front line service providers (such as Console) are ideally placed
to participate in new systems for provision of more timely regional data. Collaborating with the
National Suicide Research Foundations pilot SSIS (Suicide Support & Information Systems), Console
noted extremely productive and proactive community responses are very well received. During
2014, Console is also developing a Family Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service, in collaboration with
the HSE West in Counties Donegal, Galway, Sligo/Leitrim, Clare and Limerick/Nth Tipperary. This
service will provide proactive approaches to families after a suicide loss, promoting access to
services and practical support for the bereaved. The service will see the development of countyspecific protocols on responding to suicide, outlining collaborative roles for the first responders,
service providers, Coroners and health services. If extended nationwide, such projects provide ample
opportunity for the development of new systems for registering and mapping deaths by suicide.
5. The community and voluntary sector
Console is in broad agreement with the issues raised in Senator Gilroy’s report (including Sign Posts
4, 5 & 6). Some key considerations are as follows;
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While there are numerous (some say too many) agencies working in the fields of suicide
awareness, prevention and postvention, careful consideration should be given to the
extremely varied types of supports or services offered. For those in immediate crisis,
bereaved or concerned about suicide, there is rarely a sense from them, that they have a
wide variety of options open to them.
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Given that suicide is such a complex and multi-faceted issue, the number of initiatives,
services or programmes required to tackle it effectively, is large. Without significant
investment and restructuring, the required targeted and general population approaches to
prevent suicide, could not be realistically achieved by one, or just a few agencies.
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Quality frameworks are essential if we are to ensure the safety and standard of individuals,
groups or agencies working to prevent suicide. The National Quality Standards for the
Provision of Suicide Bereavement Services (2012, Console & HSE NOSP) attempts to do this
with regard to postvention services. The document relies on self-assessment though and to
be effective, would require significant external input to assess compliance. Still, it allows
agencies of all sizes to ascertain their level of contribution to a wider nationwide
postvention strategy and benchmarks their work by providing specific
standards/recommendations relevant to their particular service levels or activities.
Console – Submission to Joint Committee on Health & Children, 13 th March 2014
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6. Re-configuration of policy formation and delivery
Console acknowledges the good work of the National Office for Suicide Prevention but also notes
the enormity of the tasks asked of them. The NOSP requires greater sustenance and significant
financial investment if it is to carry out its work more effectively. With a new national strategy on
suicide prevention due for development this year, agencies and policy makers need to support the
NOSP in its difficult work and to help improve its constructive engagement with community and
agencies.
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Console – Submission to Joint Committee on Health & Children, 13 th March 2014
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