Launch of strategy to prevent suicide
By LAURA MURPHY HEALTH Minister Paul Goggins launched Northern Ireland's Suicide Prevention Strategy yesterday, with a simple but poignant message – "you don't need to be alone".
Referring to the 230 people from the Province who took their own lives last year, Mr Goggins described it as a "pressing
issue that affected everyone".
Speaking at Belfast's Farset Centre, he confirmed that an additional 600,000 has been found to help tackle suicide prevention, bringing spending up to 3 million next year.
As part of the strategy, a 24-hour helpline is to be piloted in north and west Belfast – the worst affected areas – and will be manned by organisations Contact Youth and Opportunity Youth.
The move preludes the introduction of a mentoring scheme in the west of the city next month, and another initiative
involving the development of a GP awareness training programme by December.
As part of the consultation process leading up to the strategy's announcement, a Families' Forum and a Suicide Strategy Implementation Body were also set up this year.
Mr Goggins said that what made the strategy unique from other services was that "for the first time, we have got a
solid bond between people working at
community, voluntary, statutory and
Government levels".
Paying tribute to the bereaved families involved with the initiative, he said: "The publication of this strategy is important, but is only the start.
"Success will take time and must and will be accompanied by wider action to
promote positive mental health.
"I fervently hope that the action we are taking today will get to the heart of the problem. There are lives to be saved.
"People, especially young people, need a friendly voice, a listening ear. That is why the helpline, available throughout the day and night is so important."
Bernie McNally, director of mental health services for North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, said
suicide was an issue that concerns everyone, yet was so little understood.
"It is clear that there are no simple
solutions and yet, as a society, we all have a responsibility to do what we can to reach out to those people who may be in difficulty, perhaps depressed or perhaps not knowing where to turn to for help,"
she said.
"This is particularly so in respect of
adolescents. Nowhere is the toll heavier than in north and west Belfast."
Fergus Cumiskey, acting director of Contact Youth, explained why many young people might feel more comfortable
contacting the new helpline rather than
visiting their GP.
"Our team have a passion for working with young people and can gain their
confidence in ways that the statutory
sector cannot," he said.
Chairwoman of the Families' Forum, Ann McGarrigle, experienced her own personal tragedy when her son Robert took his life 11 years ago. She said that the launch was an "emotional" experience.
"Eleven years ago there was nothing for families of suicide victims. I decided then that if I ever found the strength I would help raise awareness of this issue," she said.
l The helpline number is 0808 808 8000.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
