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10/09/2019
DoH Reveal Plan To Reduce Suicide Rates
A plan to reduce suicide rates in Northern Ireland by 10% over the next five years has been unveiled by the Department of Health.
The 'Project Life 2' strategy aims to deliver suicide prevention services and support, with a particular focus on deprived areas where rates are over 3.5 times higher.
Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in the UK, with five people dying each week.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "The toll suicide takes is not just measured in lives lost and anguish for families and communities. There is also an estimated wider societal cost of £1.55m for each life lost. Right across government we must continue to prioritise investment in prevention."
Some £8.7m is currently invested in suicide prevention each year. An additional £1.35m has been provided through the transformation programme this financial year.
Project Life 2 features a range of new and ongoing actions designed to tackle the issue, including greater focus on those bereaved by suicide, more support for those who care for others and enhanced working across Departments.
A 'Towards Zero Suicide' initiative has recently been introduced in all HSC Trusts, with a focus on patient safety in adult mental health. Similar initiatives in other parts of the world have seen significant decreases in suicide rates.
Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health Richard Pengelly said: "Suicide is preventable and not inevitable, yet almost every day in Northern Ireland a person takes their own life. Whilst suicide rates here have remained relatively stable over the last decade the level is without a doubt unacceptably high. How we address this is a challenge for all in government and society."
(JG/CM)
The 'Project Life 2' strategy aims to deliver suicide prevention services and support, with a particular focus on deprived areas where rates are over 3.5 times higher.
Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in the UK, with five people dying each week.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "The toll suicide takes is not just measured in lives lost and anguish for families and communities. There is also an estimated wider societal cost of £1.55m for each life lost. Right across government we must continue to prioritise investment in prevention."
Some £8.7m is currently invested in suicide prevention each year. An additional £1.35m has been provided through the transformation programme this financial year.
Project Life 2 features a range of new and ongoing actions designed to tackle the issue, including greater focus on those bereaved by suicide, more support for those who care for others and enhanced working across Departments.
A 'Towards Zero Suicide' initiative has recently been introduced in all HSC Trusts, with a focus on patient safety in adult mental health. Similar initiatives in other parts of the world have seen significant decreases in suicide rates.
Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health Richard Pengelly said: "Suicide is preventable and not inevitable, yet almost every day in Northern Ireland a person takes their own life. Whilst suicide rates here have remained relatively stable over the last decade the level is without a doubt unacceptably high. How we address this is a challenge for all in government and society."
(JG/CM)
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10 September 2012
Deprived Areas Linked To Suicide Rates - Health Minister
People living in deprived parts of Northern Ireland are three times as likely as others to commit suicide, the Health Minister has said. Edwin Poots was speaking today to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
Deprived Areas Linked To Suicide Rates - Health Minister
People living in deprived parts of Northern Ireland are three times as likely as others to commit suicide, the Health Minister has said. Edwin Poots was speaking today to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
30 August 2005
Suicide rates rise follows end of 'Troubles'
The number of people in Northern Ireland who have committed suicide since the end of the Troubles has risen, according to new research. The study, carried out by the University of Ulster and the Department of Psychiatry at the Mater Hospital Trust, reveals that the 'Troubles' may have actually kept suicide levels down for more than 30 years.
Suicide rates rise follows end of 'Troubles'
The number of people in Northern Ireland who have committed suicide since the end of the Troubles has risen, according to new research. The study, carried out by the University of Ulster and the Department of Psychiatry at the Mater Hospital Trust, reveals that the 'Troubles' may have actually kept suicide levels down for more than 30 years.
10 September 2018
'It Is OK Not To Be OK' - SDLP
World Suicide Prevention Day should be used as a reminder that "it is OK, not to be OK" and that people should always know that they can seek help, according to SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan.
'It Is OK Not To Be OK' - SDLP
World Suicide Prevention Day should be used as a reminder that "it is OK, not to be OK" and that people should always know that they can seek help, according to SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan.
12 August 2008
Suicides On The Rise - But Ballymoney Folk Living Longest
New statistics released by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, revealing geographical divisions across the island, show Offaly has Ireland's highest suicide rate. The new report also found suicide rates are 47% higher in the Irish Republic than in Northern Ireland.
Suicides On The Rise - But Ballymoney Folk Living Longest
New statistics released by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, revealing geographical divisions across the island, show Offaly has Ireland's highest suicide rate. The new report also found suicide rates are 47% higher in the Irish Republic than in Northern Ireland.
10 September 2007
Papers Highlight NI Suicide Risk
Despite the high suicide rate in Northern Ireland some four out of five GPs do not have specialist knowledge of suicide prevention. The claim comes from Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Taskforce to mark world suicide prevention day.
Papers Highlight NI Suicide Risk
Despite the high suicide rate in Northern Ireland some four out of five GPs do not have specialist knowledge of suicide prevention. The claim comes from Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Taskforce to mark world suicide prevention day.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
