The proposal for a Suicide Mortality Statistics Liaison Group was discussed at a meeting with representatives of the CSO and NSRF, 17th April 2014. The broad aim of the group is to improve the quality of suicide statistics and their dissemination.
CSO and NSRF will be jointly responsible for organising meetings and will rotate chairing of the Group. Other core participants shall include one representative from each of the participating organisations. Participation of the Group may be extended, depending on the subject being discussed, to include more than one representative from any organisation or a participant from an organisation which is not a member of the Group.
Membership
Jackie Hickey (General Registration Office)
Regina Ward and Kevin Kelly (Department of Health)
Dr Philip Dodd (National Office for Suicide Prevention)
Dr Suzi Lyons (HRB National Drugs-Related Deaths Index)
Alice Wainwright (Department of Justice)
Dr Cróna Gallagher (Coroner’s Office)
Dr Mary Flanagan (Coroner's Society)
Laura Galligan (An Garda Síochána)
Prof Ella Arensman, Dr Paul Corcoran, Niall McTernan and Eileen Williamson, (National Suicide Research Foundation).
Brian Ring, John G.O’Connor, David Griffin and Gerard Doolan, (CSO)
The role of the group shall be to:
1. Ensure that the statistical system can meet national and regional policy requirements in the domain of suicide mortality statistics
2. Examine and make recommendations on all quality aspects of suicide mortality and deaths of undetermined intent statistics
3. Ensure that the classification of suicide deaths in Ireland is consistent with international evidence informed guidelines and best practice
4. Ensure that there is effective communication of regional, national and international statistical requirements
5. Promote best practice in the compilation and publication of suicide mortality statistics
6. Consider progress and review of key recording and classification issues to enhance surveillance, suicide prevention implementation and evaluation, and wider public health use
7. Facilitate timely access to suicide mortality and deaths of undetermined intent statistics for suicide prevention and intervention purposes in accordance with recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO World Suicide Report, 2014).
Two meetings per year.