Suicide Prioritised By Stormont First Minister

The continuing tragedy of suicides in the North was at the top of the agenda as First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness met representatives of the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership on the issue.

Among the issues addressed at the meeting were efforts by local organisations aimed at tackling suicide rates in the area.

The Colin Neighbourhood Partnership - comprising representatives from the local community and voluntary organisations, the local authority, statutory agencies, and political parties - works to achieve improved economic and social conditions in the area. It also has a specific focus on addressing the health and wellbeing needs of the local community.

Speaking after the meeting the First Minister said that he welcomed the opportunity to meet with representatives to hear first hand of the many difficulties they face.

"Many people are doing tremendous work to address the terrible blight of suicide across many of our communities.

"As we have seen in recent days, suicide has no respect for age and I offer my sincere condolences to those families who have been so tragically bereaved in the last number of days," he said.

The Deputy First Minister also expressed his deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those who had died and said that his thoughts and prayers were with them at this difficult time.

Martin McGuinness said: "This is a time for communities to come together. The issue of suicide is difficult and emotive and one which the Executive takes seriously.

"To this end the First Minister and I will liaise with colleagues, including the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, with a view to discussing the issue at the next meeting of the Executive."

The Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast Sue Ramsey was also with the delegation that also involved Cllrs Charlene O'Hara and Arder Carson with the representatives from the Colin area, Annie Armstrong and Tony Silcott.

Sue Ramsey said: "Obviously the community in the Colin and general west Belfast area in particular are feeling the effects of the recent tragic events.

"Both Ministers of and acknowledge the vast amount of work being done to help communities and to engage directly with people in a very genuine way to prevent suicides taking place.

"The Ministers informed us that the issue has been added to the agenda of the next executive meeting, this is a positive move and one which will hopefully keep this matter at the heart of Government," she said.

"It is our view that the Executive must continue to ensure they do all that they can to tackle the plight of suicides within our communities - we were heartened to hear the commitments from the First Ministers.

"We must all work to ensure that the cross-departmental approach, led by the Department of Health, work to ensure that all that can be done on this matter is being done.

"That means counselling services where and when they are required, additional services to engage directly with young people in schools and youth clubs and ensure that as many people as possible are given the necessary training to identify people who are in despair and can signpost them to the relevant assistance.

"The meeting was part of our ongoing work and I look forward to meeting with other Ministers once again on this important issue," she concluded.

Last week, there was a double tragedy as two children in neighbouring housing estates in west Belfast killed themselves.

In unconnected incidents, Martin Rooney, 13, and 11-year-old Ciara Doherty died at their homes in Twinbrook and Mount Eagles. The news came as the funeral of Karen Cromie, who took her own life on a busy Belfast flyover last Friday, was taking place in Co Fermanagh.

The 31-year-old from Ballinamallard was found under the flyover on the main Bangor to Belfast road two weeks after she threatened to take her own life at the same place.

(BMcC/GK)