10/07/2006
Minister announces 'Family Forum' on suicide prevention
Health Minister Paul Goggins has announced the establishment of a Family Forum for relatives bereaved by suicide.
The Forum will give families a key role in implementing Northern Ireland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Speaking at PIPS House, in North Belfast, Mr Goggins said: “We all have a responsibility to respond to the tragedy of suicide and self-harm. I am grateful to PIPS for giving me this opportunity to see the valuable work that they do, in saving lives and supporting those affected by suicide and self-harm.
“Families bereaved by suicide have played a key role in establishing ‘Protect Life - A Shared Vision’, which is the suicide prevention strategy for Northern Ireland. I want to re-assure all bereaved families that I am deeply committed to implementing all the recommendations in the suicide prevention strategy.
“Families will play a key role in helping to implement the strategy and holding us to our commitments, which is why I am establishing a Families Forum.
“The Families Forum will be able to nominate representatives to sit on the Suicide Strategy Implementation Body. Bereaved families will have a major say in the way the strategy is introduced. I look forward to working with them and share their commitment to reduce suicide and self harm in Northern Ireland.”
In 2005, 213 suicides were registered in Northern Ireland, just over 40% of these are young men aged under 35 years.
The PIPS project was established in 2003 in response to high levels of suicide in North Belfast, and the lack of available support for those bereaved by suicide and those in crisis.
Further Information on the PIPS Project can be found at www.pipsproject.com.
The Families Forum will hold its first meeting in late July/Early August, and it will nominate representatives to sit on the forthcoming Suicide Strategy Implementation Body.
The Suicide Strategy Implementation Body will oversee and co-ordinate the implementation of the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy, and will be established during August 2006.
(SP/KMcA)
The Forum will give families a key role in implementing Northern Ireland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Speaking at PIPS House, in North Belfast, Mr Goggins said: “We all have a responsibility to respond to the tragedy of suicide and self-harm. I am grateful to PIPS for giving me this opportunity to see the valuable work that they do, in saving lives and supporting those affected by suicide and self-harm.
“Families bereaved by suicide have played a key role in establishing ‘Protect Life - A Shared Vision’, which is the suicide prevention strategy for Northern Ireland. I want to re-assure all bereaved families that I am deeply committed to implementing all the recommendations in the suicide prevention strategy.
“Families will play a key role in helping to implement the strategy and holding us to our commitments, which is why I am establishing a Families Forum.
“The Families Forum will be able to nominate representatives to sit on the Suicide Strategy Implementation Body. Bereaved families will have a major say in the way the strategy is introduced. I look forward to working with them and share their commitment to reduce suicide and self harm in Northern Ireland.”
In 2005, 213 suicides were registered in Northern Ireland, just over 40% of these are young men aged under 35 years.
The PIPS project was established in 2003 in response to high levels of suicide in North Belfast, and the lack of available support for those bereaved by suicide and those in crisis.
Further Information on the PIPS Project can be found at www.pipsproject.com.
The Families Forum will hold its first meeting in late July/Early August, and it will nominate representatives to sit on the forthcoming Suicide Strategy Implementation Body.
The Suicide Strategy Implementation Body will oversee and co-ordinate the implementation of the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy, and will be established during August 2006.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
06 December 2013
£2.3m Skills Investment In Tyrone Meat Company
£2.3m is being invested by County Tyrone-based meat suppliers Dunbia. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced that the Dungannon-headquartered company has secured the investment to implement skills development programmes over the next three years.
£2.3m Skills Investment In Tyrone Meat Company
£2.3m is being invested by County Tyrone-based meat suppliers Dunbia. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced that the Dungannon-headquartered company has secured the investment to implement skills development programmes over the next three years.
10 September 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.
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.
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.
26 April 2012
Suicide Awareness Training To Be Introduced To Council Staff
Suicide awareness training is to be introduced for all staff and politicians at Belfast City Council, the Lord Mayor has announced. The new initiative is just one outcome of a community conference hosted at City Hall by Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile.
Suicide Awareness Training To Be Introduced To Council Staff
Suicide awareness training is to be introduced for all staff and politicians at Belfast City Council, the Lord Mayor has announced. The new initiative is just one outcome of a community conference hosted at City Hall by Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.