Armstrong welcomes Suicide Prevention Plan
Ulster Unionist Mid-Ulster assembly member, Billy Armstrong, has welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Shaun Woodward that more than £4 million will be spent on tackling suicide in Northern Ireland over the next two years.
Figures released from General Registrar’s Office show that the number of people who took their own life soared by 50% last year to 213. This year’s figures have revealed large increases reported in Cookstown and Magherafelt.
In a statement, Mr Armstrong said: “This announcement is a welcome first step and it is important that this money is channelled immediately into the community.
“The appointment of a Northern Ireland Director of Mental Health to oversee the whole mental health service is a long overdue initiative and for too long this area of the Health Service has been severely under resourced.
“It is vital that vulnerable children and young people get prompt access to the help they so desperately need and the announcement of telephone helpline is welcome. This will be piloted within Eastern Health Social Services in conjunction with NSPCC and Samaritans and will focus initially on North and West Belfast.
“I would advocate that due to the increases in suicides in Mid-Ulster that similar helplines should be established in the west of the Province.
“It is also important that medical professionals recognise signs that lead to suicide and GP’s have a huge role to play in helping build an effective strategy and offer immediate help. I welcome the commitment by the Minister that an effective programme with the BMA to develop and promote depression awareness training programme for not only GP’s but also primary care practitioners. Evidence from Scotland suggests that there are no quick fix solutions but if it prevents one death it is worthwhile.”