Connecting for Life Goal 7: Better Data and Research

To improve surveillance, evaluation and high quality research relating to suicidal behaviour.

Goal seven of Connecting for Life, Ireland's national strategy to reduce suicide, aims to improve surveillance, evaluation and high quality research relating to suicidal behaviour.

Responsive, cost-efficient and effective suicide prevention services depend on the widespread availability of robust data – data on the types of services and interventions that are effective in reducing or preventing suicidal behaviour, on the groups most vulnerable to suicidal behaviour; on trends in suicidal behaviour in the country; and on key risk and protective factors. Improving the quality of the evidence base for suicidal behaviour and suicide prevention in the Irish context, having real-time and better integrated data surveillance systems for suicidal behaviour as well as accelerating the transfer of research findings into practice are fundamental to the success of Connecting for Life and other suicide prevention policies and practices.

Objectives

• 7.1 Evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Connecting for Life.
• 7.2 Improve access to timely and high-quality data on suicide and self-harm.
• 7.3 Review (and, if necessary, revise) current recording procedures for death by suicide.
• 7.4 Develop a national research and evaluation plan that supports innovation aimed at early identification of suicide risk, assessment, intervention and prevention.