Write a commentTonight 10 September Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will mark World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) by lighting up Newry Town Hall and Downpatrick Leisure Centre orange. You can also show your support for suicide prevention by lighting a candle near a window at 8pm to remember a lost loved one, and acknowledge the survivors of suicide.
Observed on the 10 September each year, WSPD provides the opportunity for people across the globe to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.
Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds. Every life lost represents someone’s partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected.
Almost every day in Northern Ireland a person takes their own life. The circumstances that may lead a person to take this action are complex and unique and ascertaining why is still poorly understood. Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behaviour may be triggered by a single event or a series of events over time. Risk factors, such as self-harm and mental illness - treated or untreated, are also linked to suicidal behavior.
In men under 50, suicide is the leading cause of death in the UK. In 2018, the highest number of male deaths by suicide in Northern Ireland occurred in the 25-29 age group (37 deaths) and 30-34 age group (35 deaths). The 45-49 age group experienced the highest deaths for females (11 deaths).
Suicide rates also vary by geographical area and in Newry, Mourne and Down, suicide rates were measured at their highest in 2014 (32 deaths), falling to 28 deaths in 2018. Acknowledging that suicide is a major issue within communities across the district, Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin said, “To help combat suicide, the Council has teamed up with the Health and Social Care Trust and will participate in a regional Mental Health Awareness campaign across its social media channels beginning on the week of WSPD - #mentalwellbeingni2020.
“You can join us to help tackle suicide and raise awareness of the risks of suicide by putting the lifeline number in your phone - 0808 808 8000. Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. You can also complete the Towards Suicide Training at WWW.ZEROSUICIDEALLIANCE.COM
Importance of Seeking Help
Health Minister Robin Swann has stressed the importance of seeking help on this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day. The Health Minister commented: “The Covid 19 pandemic has made us all acutely aware of how our mental health needs must be met as well as our physical needs. The restrictions put on our daily lives and routines have meant that for many of us loneliness and feelings of desperation have crept in, but I want to reinforce on this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day there is support and help available to anyone who needs it. No one must feel that there is no other option."
The Minister continued: “I launched the Mental Health Action Plan in May which had 38 actions detailed, including a commitment to produce for consultation a mental health strategy before the end of this year and to produce the full strategy by July 2021. I am happy to report that the work is currently ongoing on a number of actions and we are currently on target for completion.
“Earlier this year I also appointed Professor Siobhan O’Neill as the department’s Interim Mental Health Champion and already her input and advice is proving invaluable.”
Commenting ahead of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, Professor O’Neill said: “Across the world, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. On Thursday people will come together in solidarity and spread awareness of how suicide can be prevented.
“As Mental Health Champion, I will drive forward the actions within the ‘Protect Life 2’ Suicide Prevention Strategy and ensure suicide prevention is considered in all key policies. I am passionate that we encourage everyone to look after their mental health and become our mental health champions, and in doing so look after ourselves and support others. ‘Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ is a set of tools we can all use daily, to help care for ourselves. As someone who uses these for my own wellbeing, I know they make a difference.”
