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Samaritans announce Key Priorities for Ireland's 34ᵗʰ Programme for Government

In the formation of the next government, Samaritans Ireland calls on policymakers to deliver action on combatting loneliness, championing the wellbeing of moderators, and using responsible language.

  • Blog
  • Posted 6th December 2024
  • Ireland
  • Policy

Three Actions For Change

#3Actions4Change

Measures to Combat loneliness

  • Create a national strategy to address the pervasive issue of loneliness to sit in the office of An Taoiseach.
  • Commit to the development of national standards for measuring and tracking loneliness.

Champion the wellbeing of moderators

  • Commit to the development of national standards for measuring and tracking loneliness. Extend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to include specific provisions for content moderators employed by Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs).
  • Mandate social media platforms to implement transparent reporting and comprehensive mental health support standards for all content moderators, including third-party contractors.

Commit to using responsible language

  • Cross party commitment to undertake Samaritans training to further combat stigma and ensure appropriate language is always being used when speaking about self-harm or suicide in Leinster House, with the media and in conversation.

Please find more information in our briefing documents below:

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