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24/06/2015 Dublin Taoiseach and Minister Lynch launch “Connecting for Life” - Ireland’s new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2015-2020. Pictured here at “Connecting for Life” Ireland’s new National Strategy for suicide Prevention is Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Farmleigh House. Pic: Robbie Reynolds Photography

ENDS

Press Release - Wednesday 24th June 2015 Taoiseach and Minister Lynch launch ‘Connecting for Life’ – Ireland’s new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2015-2020 An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and Ms. Kathleen Lynch, Minister for Primary Care, Social Care, and Mental Health, today (Wednesday 24th June 2015) launched ‘Connecting for Life’, Ireland’s new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention in Ireland 2015-2020, at an event attended by mental health partner organisations and stakeholder groups in Farmleigh House. The new strategy succeeds and builds upon ‘Reach Out’, Ireland’s first Strategy for Suicide Prevention for the period 2005-2014.

‘Connecting for Life’ sets out a vision of an Ireland where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing. ??Commenting on the new strategy An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said, "Connecting for Life is an ambitious strategy which sets a target to reduce suicide and self-harm by 10% over the next five years. As a Government, despite financial constraints, we have maintained and will continue to maintain mental health as a priority. Suicide prevention is everyone's concern and this strategy is a national plan for the whole of Government and the whole of society to work together." ??Minister Kathleen Lynch said, ”Looking after our mental health is a cornerstone of improving the health of our people.  It is as important as physical health. As a Government we have been putting the structures in place to try to ensure that people get the right type of mental health treatment in