Suicide rates rise | News Archive

Concern grows  as suicide rates show another rise

AINE MCENTEE amcentee@belfastmediagroup.com North Belfast News

THE CHAIR of a leading North Belfast suicide prevention organisation has said more needs to be done to tackle the scourge of suicide in light of new figures showing the rates increased again last year.

According to figures released by the NI Statistical Research Agency, in 2008,

282 suicides were registered, a rise of 40 compared to the figure of 242 in the year 2007.

Chairperson of the Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm (PIPS), Philip McTaggart, said the government's multi-million pound strat­egy aimed at reducing suicides wasn't working.

"The Protect Life Strategy hopes to reduce suicide by 15 per cent by 2011, now unfortunately that isn't happening.

"That's not to say we can't work to­wards that, but I feel that a lot of barri­ers still need to be broken down, and we need better training to enable people to recognise the danger signs," said Phil.

"Unfortunately there is still a short­age of beds and there needs to be a quicker turn around for those in crisis. People need help straight away, not six weeks down the line - we're talking something in the range of 24 to 48 hours."

The government launched its regional crisis helpline in January 2008 and in its first year Lifeline has taken over £55,000 calls and sign-posted more than 4000 people to other health services.

"At a time of continuing high levels of suicide in our local communities, Lifeline has proved to be an invaluable ad­ditional source of support for people in distress," the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said.

"Unfortunately there is no quick fix to tackling this issue, but with the help of our local suicide prevention strategy and the regional helpline, I am com­mitted to doing everything in my power to address this prob­lem. The prevention of suicide remains a top priority for me and my department."

PIPS moved into its new headquarters in Duncairn Gar­dens this week after work on converting two houses into one unit was completed.

The official opening is taking place in mid-May and the Pres­ident, Mary McAleese, is due to officiate.

Phil helped to found PIPS af­ter his son, Pip, took his own life in 2003.13 other young men in North Belfast died through suicide over a devastating two month period in 2004.

Pip McTaggart's sixth an­niversary anniversary falls on April 23 and with another emo­tional milestone around the corner, Phil said his desire to make a difference hasn't ebbed.

"I didn't choose this as a path for me, it chose me. Pip's death took me down this road and I'm only in this because I lost my son.

"Without this place I don't think we would have the aware­ness there is around suicide. Sadly, the thing is that people are still dying from suicide.

"Despite our good work, it is still happening and it's heart­breaking to think that people are going through the same pain and anguish.

"If someone is in distress people need to link them to help, be it their GP, hospital, the Lifeline telephone number or any organisation that deals with suicide prevention.

"There is also 999, people think it's only for robberies, an accident or a fire. But if people have no other option and it is an emergency then it can help save someone's life," added Phil.

The Lifeline telephone number is 0808 808 8000. PIPS are on 90755070.