The National Office for Suicide Prevention - An Overview

The National Office for Suicide Prevention is the section of the HSE which co-ordinates suicide prevention efforts in Ireland. I found their 2009 Annual Report most useful when trying to figure out exactly what they do, although the website (www.nosp.ie) is helpful also. According to the Annual Report their primary functions are to:

• Oversee the implementation of ‘Reach Out: the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014'.
• Commission appropriate research into suicide prevention.
• Coordinate suicide prevention efforts around the country. 
• Consult widely and regularly with organisations and interested parties. 

They co-ordinate suicide prevention efforts around the country primarily through their regionally-based Suicide Prevention Officers. You can find your local suicide prevention officer on their website. They also provide once-off or recurring funding to organisations providing direct services such as AWARE, Console, Foroige, GROW, National Youth Council, Pieta House, RehabCare, St. John of Gods and the Samaritans (full list available online). They are behind a number of TV campaigns and mental health promotion websites including yourmentalhealth.ie and letsomeoneknow.ie



Research & Publications:
They have undertaken various types of research related to suicide and produced a number or reports on groups at particular risk of suicide including young males; the LGBT community; the Irish Traveller Community; military personnel and victims of institutional child sexual abuse. Other publications include a review of bereavement support services available to people bereaved by suicide and a study of the coverage of suicide in Irish print media.  They also produce advice leaflets and booklets aimed at the general public around maintaining positive mental health. Presentations on a variety of topics are also available on the site.

Each year their Annual Report outlines the activities being undertaken at local and national level by the many organisations involved in suicide prevention. The 2009 report highlights work undertaken with all sectors of society including vulnerable families; schools; colleges; youth & community groups; sports clubs; church groups; the media; primary care and general practices; mental health services; addiction services; travellers and other ethnic minorities; the LGBT community; An Garda Siochana; County Coroners; abuse victims; older people; unemployed people and young men.

'Reaching out: Help and advice on coping with the death of someone close'
I decided to look into one of their publications in more detail so I read through 'Reaching out: Help and advice on coping with the death of someone close' (2009). This is an A4, 40 page booklet designed specifically for those who are coping with a death by suicide but which also contain useful information for those affected by other sudden and tragic deaths. It covers:

• The immediate aftermath of the death; immediate questions of why and feelings of blame. 
• Natural reactions incl. practical advice on how to tell children about the death. 
• Practical arrangements incl. the role of the Gardai and the Coroner, post-motrems, funeral arrangements, detah certificate, inquest. 
• Practical advice on 'sorting out your affairs' ; money matters - savings and debts; legal considerations around the deceased person's will, their estate, probate, the rights of children, widow/widowers pension etc. 

This is practical stuff which most families have to deal with when someone dies. There is also a checklist for things to do following a bereavement. This is quite a lenghty list which I imagine would be overwhelming for many people but which may be useful.  I could imagine giving this informative booklet to someone who has recently lost a family member from any cause of death, perhaps if I was visiting them during the weeks after the funeral or were close enough to give it to someone 'in charge' immediately after the death occurred. Although this may seem cold, unfortunately it is usually in the immediate aftermath of the death that practical decisions must be made and some people may appreciate this very pragmatic form of support.