Media Release

February 6 2008

Focus on grass roots suicide prevention

Representatives from family support projects, local communities, politicians and representatives from the voluntary and statutory sector will meet at a conference today which will showcase local suicide prevention projects for a specially invited audience including local MLAs and councillors.

Over 20 organisations from all over Belfast will demonstrate through a short film commissioned for the conference what they have learnt about addressing suicide prevention and what they see as the challenges for the future.

‘Northern Ireland has more suicides per 100,000 of the population than England and Wales,’ says John McGeown of the Belfast Trust, which is hosting the event. ‘The Belfast Trust recognises the importance of these very creative initiatives, and while we acknowledge that there is much more to be done to tackle the very real issues surrounding suicide and self harm, we are delighted to be able to highlight some of the excellent efforts that have been made.’

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey , who is attending the conference said: “Suicide is devastating; it represents a tragic loss of life which leaves a terrible legacy for families, friends and communities.

“However, suicide and self-harm are such complex issues that the health service alone cannot successfully tackle the problem. There is an onus on everyone to work together to achieve a reduction in suicide and self-harm rates.

“It is events such as this conference that ensure we share learning and knowledge about suicide prevention.

“Significant work has already been initiated to implement the Suicide Prevention Strategy, but there is still a great deal of work to be done. Working together, I know we can make a real difference and face the challenges ahead.”

The majority of the funding for all the initiatives has come through the Regional ‘Protect Life’ Suicide Prevention Strategy, and has been allocated through the Eastern Health and Social Services Board via the Eastern Investing for Health Partnership processes. The organisations involved include, Windsor Women’s centre, PIP’s, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Ashton Community Trust, Contact Youth, Falls Women’s Centre and South Eastern Education and Library Board.