Mr Jimmy Devins, T.D., Minister for State at the Department of Health and Children, was speaking yesterday Wednesday 29th August in Killarney at the official opening of the Twenty Fourth Biennial World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

The Congress is a biennial event organised under the auspices of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and is being hosted in Ireland by the Irish Association of Suicidology. Delegates from all over the world are attending this event to discuss the latest research and initiatives relating to suicide prevention, self harm and mental health promotion. The event is supported by the World Health Organisation, World Federation for Mental Health, World Psychiatric Association and the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention.

The Minister thanked the Irish Association of Suicidology for hosting the Conference entitled "Preventing Suicide Across the Life Span: Dreams and Realities". The Minister welcomed the delegates and contributors from at home and abroad to the Congress and said "it is a great honour for the island of Ireland to host such a prestigious and important event. It is a great opportunity both to learn from experience and research worldwide, but also to contribute and showcase some of the important work that is being carried out in Ireland.

Preventing suicide and reducing the rate of suicide is an urgent public health issue which is a priority for this Government. It goes right to the heart of our efforts and policies to create a healthy, prosperous and socially inclusive Ireland. The combined input of views from Irish and international experts in relation to the phenomena of suicide will I am sure advance future research and knowledge in relation to suicide prevention"

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