Macho culture blamed for suicide rate

A macho culture is driving many young people in the North to take their own lives, Gerry Adams claimed today.

During an Assembly debate on the problem of suicide and self harm, the Sinn Féin leader said Stormont must prioritise the issue when devolution returns.

The West Belfast MP told Assembly members: "When you talk to the families you realise also just how inadequate our society and our health services are in dealing with the issue of suicide and its impact.

"As political representatives we have to rectify this. That includes rising to the challenges set by Bamford (a review of mental health services).

"We must play our part in the de-stigmatisation of mental health and mental health problems.

"We must challenge the so-called macho culture that exists in our society, a culture that leaves so many of our young people feeling that the only option they have left in their lives is to end it.

"But this alone is not enough. We must ensure that when people do seek help that the services are there to help them - services that must be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

"Why? Because the problems that cause this sense of hopelessness do not end at 5 o'clock. They do not take the weekend off. Services must be tailored to suit the needs of our people."

In September, Minister for Health Paul Goggins announced the establishment of the Suicide Strategy Implementation Body which will drive forward and oversee the implementation of a prevention strategy which has been drawn up for the province.

The body will be chaired by Colm Donaghy, who also chaired the taskforce which drew up the strategy.

Last year 213 people - many in their teens and 20s - took their lives, a rise of more than 60 on the previous year.

On average about 150 people commit suicide each year.

Just over 40% of them are young men under 35.

In October it was announced a new 24-hour suicide helpline is being set up in north and west Belfast as part of the government's new suicide prevention strategy for the North.