Who are we

Hi, I’m Ciara Dempsey and I am the Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention in the HSE for both
Limerick City and County. I am based in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Limerick city.
In 2015, the National Office for Suicide Prevention launched a 5 year strategy, “Connecting for Life”, aimed at reducing the rates of suicide and reducing the number of presentations of deliberate self-harm. In April 2016, we launched “Connecting for Life Mid West Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2017-2020” which will help make the vision of the national strategy a reality on a local level in Limerick.

Our office supports the development of evidence based programmes and interventions aimed at
strengthening individuals, strengthening communities and reducing structural barriers to mental
health. We also work towards the development of a more coordinated and integrated suicide
prevention service delivery. We help roll out the #littlethings campaign on a local level which focuses on shares some simple but powerful day-to- day steps – little things that we can all do to protect our own mental health, and support the wellbeing of the people we care about. People are encouraged to eat and sleep well, take regular exercise, talk about their problems and spend time with other people – all proven to promote positive mental health.
For people in the community and in organisations, we offer training such as safeTALK, ASIST and Understanding Self Harm. If you are interested in this training, please call us on 061-461454.

Importance of Limerick Mental Health Week

We are happy to be part of Limerick Mental Health Week because we believe in reducing the stigma around mental health through talking about it and promoting the message that it’s good to talk. You can always talk to a friend, your GP or the Samaritans on a freephone number 116 123 for extra support or access more information about services and events in your area on
www.yourmentalhealth.ie.

“It is really important that the HSE is seen as only one player in supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.  This is an issue we now know for some time is everybody’s business.  Mental Health week affords a great opportunity for all interested parties to highlight our need as a society to keep improving on our efforts”

(Bernard Gloster, Chief Officer, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare).