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24/01/2013
NI Suicide Rate Hasn't Fallen Since 2006
Northern Ireland’s suicide rate has not fallen since 2006, despite over £32m of investment by the Department of Health.
This was the message from Health Minister Edwin Poots as he launched a new report which will, he hopes, help tackle the problem of suicide.
The All-island Young Men and Suicide Project report has been produced by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland to promote positive mental health, particularly among young men, on the island of Ireland.
The Minister said: "Suicide is a major cause of death among young males in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Around 300 people in Northern Ireland continue to die by suicide every year. Men aged from 18 to 54 who live in deprived areas face the greatest level of risk. In fact, males are three times as likely as females to die by suicide."
Mr Poots continued: "Combating suicide is an immensely challenging task and there is no single miraculous intervention. Identifying effective ways to promote positive mental health amongst young men is crucial in the drive against suicide. That is why this report is so important. It points us towards measures that have been tried and tested, and show to be useful. It also adds to our bank of knowledge on the psychological issues facing young men in modern society and the type of service provision that is relevant to them."
The Minister described suicide as a "societal issue" and said cross-government commitment was needed.
"In Northern Ireland, progress is being made through the Ministerial Co-ordination Group on Suicide Prevention," he said.
"I intend to keep this momentum going and to work with my Ministerial colleagues to embed mental health promotion within a much wider range of Government strategies and programmes."
(IT/GK)
This was the message from Health Minister Edwin Poots as he launched a new report which will, he hopes, help tackle the problem of suicide.
The All-island Young Men and Suicide Project report has been produced by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland to promote positive mental health, particularly among young men, on the island of Ireland.
The Minister said: "Suicide is a major cause of death among young males in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Around 300 people in Northern Ireland continue to die by suicide every year. Men aged from 18 to 54 who live in deprived areas face the greatest level of risk. In fact, males are three times as likely as females to die by suicide."
Mr Poots continued: "Combating suicide is an immensely challenging task and there is no single miraculous intervention. Identifying effective ways to promote positive mental health amongst young men is crucial in the drive against suicide. That is why this report is so important. It points us towards measures that have been tried and tested, and show to be useful. It also adds to our bank of knowledge on the psychological issues facing young men in modern society and the type of service provision that is relevant to them."
The Minister described suicide as a "societal issue" and said cross-government commitment was needed.
"In Northern Ireland, progress is being made through the Ministerial Co-ordination Group on Suicide Prevention," he said.
"I intend to keep this momentum going and to work with my Ministerial colleagues to embed mental health promotion within a much wider range of Government strategies and programmes."
(IT/GK)
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