The Memorial Day has been organised by the Greater Shankill Bereaved Families Support Group to bring the community together to commemorate and remember loved ones who have taken their own lives and to encourage the local community to seek help at times of crisis.
Speaking at the event the Minister commented: “Suicide is a tragic loss of life that is still affecting too many people in our society. Today I would encourage anyone who is in need to talk to someone they trust. You are not alone. Sharing a problem is often the first step to recovery and help is readily available.”
Commending the role of families in tackling suicide prevention, Mr McGimpsey said: “Sadly suicide leaves its own terrible legacy and grief for families, friends and communities of loved ones who have taken their own life and my thoughts are with you all you today. I would like to acknowledge the huge debt of gratitude we all owe the families bereaved by suicide and local community groups, for the courage and determination they have displayed in ensuring that the focus is kept on suicide prevention.
“I can assure everyone that I am determined to do everything in my power to help reduce the levels of suicide in Northern Ireland, and that suicide prevention will remain a top priority for me and my Department.
“I am determined to give the Suicide Prevention Strategy the continued attention and commitment it deserves. There are lives to be saved.”
The Minister continued: “The input from bereaved families has been, and will continue to be, critical to the success of the strategy. I intend to keep local communities and bereaved families to the fore of all future decisions made in relation to the implementation of our local strategy.”
The Minister went on to explain that although much work is already underway to tackle suicide levels, it is important to recognise that we all have a role to play.
Michael McGimpsey said: “This year alone I have allocated over £3 million to support the implementation of the Suicide Prevention Strategy, and a substantial amount has been allocated to support local communities with the development of initiatives that will help to tackle our rising suicide rate.
“There are also currently a number of pilot schemes operating locally that were established to assist with the strategy’s implementation, including a telephone helpline and mentoring schemes for those in crisis. I intend to make such services available throughout Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency. I believe they provide local communities with the support they require during times of crisis.
“Much other work is also underway including the establishment of crisis intervention teams, research into the underlying causes of suicide and ensuring that internet providers, and especially social networking sites, use their pages in a responsible way.
“I will continue to do all I can to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Suicide Prevention Strategy as Health Minister and through my chairmanship of the Ministerial Co-ordination Group on Suicide Prevention.
“I would however reiterate that the onus is on us all, communities, voluntary organisations, the media, the statutory sector and society as a whole, to work together to achieve a reduction in our suicide rate.”
Notes to Editors:
- This is the fourth year of World Suicide Prevention Day. It is celebrated globally and this year’s theme is “preventing suicide across the lifespan”. The day exists to focus worldwide attention on the estimated one million lives lost each year to suicide.
- The Health Minister chairs the Ministerial Co-ordination Group on Suicide Prevention, which also consists of Education Minister and OFMDFM Junior Ministers.
- For media enquiries please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 90520575, out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number on 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
