Suicide rates in North could take years to reverse

THE North's alarming suicide rate which sees 150 people take their lives each year could take a decade to reverse, an expert warned last night.

At a conference of international specialists in Belfast yesterday, Caroline Farquhar, head of Scotland's Choose Life action plan, told how £12 million in British Government cash had helped finance a drive that has led to 12% and 8% annual reductions from the 899 suicide total in 2002.

However, she stressed it was a long-term plan based on education and training, and advised the North to follow suit. "There's no quick fix, it's undoubtedly a 10-year strategy. This is complex, like finding a cure for cancer, and you can't do it overnight. It's about changing attitudes and that could take several generations."