New helpline bids to cut suicide levels

A special round the clock helpline is being set up in a new move to try and halt alarming levels of suicide in the North.

With up to 150 people taking their own lives every year – higher than numbers killed on the roads – the scheme is being introduced in north and west Belfast, the worst affected areas.

The 24-hour pilot helpline is part of prevention strategy measures announced today by the health minister Paul Goggins.

A mentoring scheme is due to be introduced in the western area next month and another initiative will involve the development of a GP awareness training programme by the end of the year.

An additional £600,000 (€897,600) has been made available, bringing the Government’s suicide prevention spend up to £3m (€4.48m) next year. In Scotland it is £4m (€5.98m).

The new telephone helpline (0808 808 8000) will be staffed by trained counsellors and extra staff will be called in if the lines get busy, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.

Just over 40% of suicide victims in the North are young men aged under 35, and according to health chiefs the overall rate is rising significantly.

A Families Forum an a Suicide Strategy Implementation Body, which includes bereaved relatives and community workers have been set up since the launch earlier this year of a consultation process.

Health minister Paul Goggins said much work had been carried out to get the right strategy, and for the first time there was a solid bond between people working at community, voluntary, statutory and government levels.

The new action being taken he hoped, would get to the heart of the problem.

The minister added: “There are lives to be saved. People, especially young people, need a friendly voice, a listening ear. That is why the helpline, available throughout the day and night, is so important.”