Government Aims to Reduce Suicide Rate to 7 per 100,000 by 2035

A new Government strategy, «Connecting for Life 2026–2035», aims to reduce the suicide rate to 7 per 100,000 or below by 2035. The ten-year plan prioritizes compassionate, person-centred care. The suicide rate has already fallen by a third, from 12.9 per 100,000 in 2000 to 8.8 per 100,000 in 2023.

The strategy focuses on strengthened crisis supports in hospitals and communities, expanded community-based services, trauma-informed approaches, and improved access to supports for those experiencing self-harm. Its development was informed by nearly 1900 public submissions and «lived experience».

Minister of State Kevin «Boxer» Moran shared his personal experience with a suicide attempt, urging others to talk about their difficulties. He revealed that opening up about his mental health issues on RTÉ's Late Late Show in 2017 was challenging, particularly telling his two teenage sons. Moran emphasized that despite the stigma around mental health, «there's always help and there's always solution. It's not always easy, but you have to talk first.»