Cross‑Sectoral Governance in Suicide Prevention Policy: Structures, Participation, and Power in Ireland (1998–2024)

Suicide prevention in Ireland has developed significantly since the late 1990s, culminating in Connecting for Life (2015-2024), the national strategy led by the Department of Health (DOH), the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). Based on documentary analysis and qualitative interviews with stakeholders from statutory, community, and voluntary (C&V) sectors, this article explores how structures, systems, and cross-sectoral relationships influence the suicide prevention policy process. We examine the dynamics of consultation and participation, representational challenges faced by C&V actors, and the ways power and resistance are exercised within governance. Findings suggest that although consultative mechanisms have expanded, rigidities within structures, resource competition, and perceived tokenism restrict equal participation. We advocate for ring-fenced funding, independent evaluation capacity, transparent commissioning, accreditation for C&V organisations, and whole‑of‑Oireachtas engagement. The article concludes with recommendations to enhance deliberative, evidence-informed, and inclusive policy development (Hajer and Wagenaar, 2003; Department of Health, 2020; WHO, 2014).
Keywords: suicide prevention; policy process; consultation; participation; governance; community and voluntary sector; Ireland; deliberative policy; power and resistance.