Donegal Mental Health Services is the first in Ireland to launch a specialized suicide crisis nurse service exclusively for teenagers.
The service, launched on Monday, allows general practitioners (GPs) to directly refer 16 to 18-year-olds experiencing suicidal thoughts to specialist nurses.
Families will be contacted on the same day, and a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment will be conducted at the GP’s office within 72 hours. Each young person will receive a personalized emergency care plan and coordinated follow-up arrangements connecting them to the most suitable services.
The service will initially be implemented across northeast Donegal, covering GPs from Manorcunningham through Inishowen. Following the evaluation of this pilot phase, the service will be extended throughout the county.
Called SCAN U, the service builds upon Donegal’s established Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) program, which was introduced in 2015 for adults referred by their GPs. Since then, the adult service has carried out over 2,300 assessments for individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm.
SCAN U adheres to the National Clinical Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide-Related Ideation’s updated Model of Care, which prioritizes rapid and compassionate assessment, active family involvement, and a smooth transition to longer-term support, all outside the emergency department setting.
Assistant Director of Nursing Sarah Toye expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative. “Early intervention at the primary care level should prevent many distressed young people from needing to visit the emergency department or being placed on a waiting list for a CAMHS appointment,” she stated. “GPs will have immediate access to specialist mental-health expertise, and parents will have assurance that support is available from the very first day of a crisis.”
John Meehan, HSE Assistant National Director, Access and Integration and Head of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), commented: “I am very proud to support the launch of the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse Underage Service here in County Donegal. This vital initiative is the result of dedicated efforts by our colleagues in the Donegal Mental Health Services, in collaboration with the HSE’s National Clinical Care Programme for Self-Harm and Suicide-Related Ideation. It has been made possible through the crucial support and commitment of the Department of Health, and Minister Mary Butler TD.”
“Strategically, this service aligns with key recommendations from Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide. Most importantly, on the ground, I am confident it will make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people in Donegal—ensuring they receive timely, compassionate crisis responses, thorough assessments, tailored care plans, and essential follow-up support.”
Dr. Ciarán Roarty stated, “As a GP in Donegal, I wholeheartedly welcome the introduction of this new service for 16 to 18-year-olds. This is a crucial and timely initiative that will provide much-needed support to young people in distress, and I am eager to witness the positive impact it will have on our community. This once again highlights the valuable benefits of collaboration between GPs and hospital-based care. I anticipate the rollout of this initiative across the county—and hopefully nationwide.”
The precedent set by the Donegal model is expected to influence the development of similar services across Ireland.
Photo Clive Wasson
Pictured Above: Members of the SCAN Steering Committee with Dermot Monaghan IHA Manager at the Launch of the Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Underage Service.
Back Row: Damian McCrory, Area Director of Nursing DMHS, Dr Angela McGilloway, SCAN Clinical Lead, Caroline McDermott, SCAN CNS, Frankie Mc Creevy, Donegal Youth Services, Ciara Wray, Donegal Suicide Resource Officer HSE, Mairead Mangan, SCAN CNS, Dr Graeme Michie, Consultant Psychiatrist DMHS, Eugene Duffy, SCAN CNS.
Front Row: L to R Annemarie Hannigan, Assistant Director of Nursing, Dermot Monaghan Donegal IHA Manager, Sarah Toye, Assistant Director of Nursing
Photo Clive Wasson
Pictured above: Keynote Speakers for SCAN U Launch. L to R: Dr Tom Foley,,CAMHS Consultant Psychiatrist, Lorraine Thompson, CEO Donegal Youth Service, Damian McCrory, Area Director of Nursing DMHS, Angela McGilloway, Psychiatric Liaison Consultant/ SCAN Clinical Lead Adult, Sarah Toye, Assistant Director of Nursing DMHS/ SCAN Underage Management Lead, Dr Ragavan Paratian, GP Ark Medical GP Representative on SCAN Steering Group.
Suicide crisis nurse service for teens begins pilot roll-out across Donegal was last modified: July 10th, 2025 by
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