Connecting for Life Goal 2: Empowered Communities

To support local communities’ capacity to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour.

Goal two of Connecting for Life, Ireland's national strategy to prevent suicide 2015-2020, aims to support local communities’ capacity to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour.

Well-structured and coordinated community-based initiatives can translate into protective benefits for families and individuals, which contribute to reduced risk of suicidal behaviour. An empowered community can respond to the needs of its members and protect them in difficult times and can sustain these positive effects over time. The work of and partnership formed amongst HSE Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention and non-statutory organisations is crucial in ensuring this goal is met.

Objectives

• 2.1 Improve the continuation of community level responses to suicide through planned, multi-agency approaches.
• 2.2 Ensure that accurate information and guidance on effective suicide prevention are provided for community-based organisations (e.g. family resource centres, sporting organisations).
• 2.3 Ensure the provision and delivery of training and education programmes on suicide prevention to community-based organisations.