The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), the learned and professional body for psychology and psychologists in the Republic of Ireland, has submitted a comprehensive response to the Department of Health’s public consultation on Ireland’s next national suicide reduction policy. The Society calls for the inclusion of suicide-specific, evidence-informed interventions in the next iteration of the policy, highlighting that suicide is a distinct and complex phenomenon, requiring targeted approaches rather than general mental health support alone.
The submission outlines the need for a strategic, system-wide response that integrates evidence-informed models of care across all levels of service and society. The PSI emphasises the necessity of recognising suicide as a transdiagnostic issue that spans across diagnostic domains and affects individuals with and without mental health conditions, and their wider family, and communities.
The PSI recommends the adoption of the Zero Suicide Initiative, an aspirational, quality improvement framework that embeds suicide prevention across the structure and delivery of health and social care services. This model, implemented successfully in countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, has demonstrated substantial reductions in suicide rates—up to 64% in some health systems. The PSI recognises Zero Suicide as a best-practice framework that transforms organisational culture and practice, demonstrating that suicide prevention can be both systematic and measurable.
The PSI underlines that medication alone is not an adequate standalone intervention for suicidality. While some correlations between antidepressant use and reduced suicide rates have been observed, the overall evidence remains mixed and inconclusive. Regarding risk assessment, the Society cautions against predictive models that label individuals as “low” or “high” risk, as such classifications have not been shown to meaningfully or accurately predict future behaviour and risk on the part of those who ultimately take their own lives. The PSI instead advocates for collaborative, suicide-specific assessments focused on understanding the individual’s unique experience, needs, and context.
The PSI calls for mandatory suicide intervention training across sectors, from healthcare professionals to teachers, postal workers, and community volunteers. Just as CPR is a fundamental life-saving skill, so too should standardised suicide-awareness and intervention training be considered essential. At the community level, the PSI supports the establishment of 24/7 in-person and remote safe spaces where individuals can discuss suicidal feelings, hopelessness, or distress. The Society also advocates for a No Wrong Door policy, ensuring that anyone who seeks help receives a timely and supportive response.
The PSI President, Dr Damien Lowry, stated, “Suicide represents a complex and multifaceted public health challenge that requires a structured, evidence-based approach. A comprehensive and coordinated response, including early identification, targeted therapeutic models, and ongoing care, is essential to reducing suicide rates and supporting individuals at risk of this outcome. It is noteworthy that 80% of suicides are completed by men, and members of the Irish Traveller community are more than six times at risk of this eventuality than the general population, and preventative strategic measures need to be cognisant of these figures. The PSI remains committed to advancing professional standards and ensuring that suicide prevention becomes a core component of Ireland’s healthcare strategy.”
The PSI believes that reducing suicide requires collaborative action across multiple government departments (including health, housing, education, training, and social protection), public services, and communities. Suicidality is preventable, but only through deliberate, inclusive, and evidence-driven policy and practice. The PSI remains committed to supporting a national strategy that is grounded in compassion, scientific evidence, and a belief that everyone, regardless of background or diagnosis, deserves access to trauma-informed, compassionate, bespoke, life-saving care.