In this episode of Transform Gov, Maeve Kneafsey speaks with Ailish O’Neill from the HSE’s National Suicide Prevention Office about “Let’s Talk About Suicide” — the winner of the 2025 Ireland eGovernment Education Award.
This is a digital learning programme designed to help ordinary people recognise signs of suicidal distress and feel confident enough to step in and help.
But this conversation goes far beyond technology.
It explores:
• Why lived experience completely changed the design of the programme
• How language and tone can determine whether people engage or switch off
• Why online learning was the right solution for a deeply sensitive subject
• How digital tools can build confidence — not just awareness
• What public sector teams can learn about communication, trust, and behaviour change
One insight stands out:
Many people taking the training were already worried about someone in their lives.
That changes everything.
Transform Gov is part of the Ireland eGovernment Awards and is brought to you in partnership with Accenture.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Why the programme was created during COVID
04:10 Why suicide prevention training is different
07:20 Designing learning that builds confidence
10:15 The power of lived experience
15:05 “We get it now” — the turning point for developers
18:40 Fear of saying the wrong thing
22:10 Real-world stories and impact
25:00 What other public sector teams can learn
28:00 What happens next
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