Speaking in advance of the SDLP Youth Fringe meeting “Suicide the Issues” at the Party’s Annual Conference SDLP Youth Chairman John O’Doherty has said:

“I am looking forward to this event which promises to be very informative. We have a number of speakers from different organisations, which campaign for and are involved in suicide prevention.

“The promotion of suicide prevention and the issues surrounding suicide has been an ongoing campaign for SDLP Youth and the SDLP in general. We believe that it is important to have a multi-organisational approach to these issues so that we they can be best dealt with.

“The facts surrounding suicide are very frightening. For example

* suicide accounts for almost a third of all deaths in the 15-24-age range

* in the last 10 years in the north there has been a 27% increase in Suicide

* the number of suicides in males aged 15-24 have increased by 104%

“With this in mind I believe that every possible effort should be made regards to Suicide Prevention.”

‘Suicide the issues - SDLP Youth Fringe’ will take place at SDLP Party conference on Saturday 12th November at 1.00pm in the Ramada Hotel.

‘SUICIDE THE ISSUES - SDLP YOUTH FRINGE’

SDLP Chairperson Patricia Lewsley

Conference Address - Saturday 12th November.

I address you today on the topic of suicide - most people have an opinion on it and for many it is overwhelming, difficult to take in and totally beyond comprehension. Thoughts like ‘how could he/she do it?’ why, why why? It is a devastating event for everyone concerned. For every suicide death there are many family members, friends and a community that are shattered emotionally, socially and economically.

Suicide is a massive Public Health problem, not just in the North & South of Ireland, but a global problem. According to the World Health Organisation more people die from suicide than in all homicides and wars combined. Suicide is a massive but PREVENTABLE public health problem causing almost ½ of all violent deaths and resulting in 1 million fatalities every year. So we are not alone in dealing with the issue but we are seriously lacking in providing a comprehensive programme to deal with suicide.

Statistics show that each year in the North there are approximately 150 deaths by suicide (Health Promotion Agency). This year alone, there were at least 15 suicides in West Belfast during a three month period and 7 of those deaths occurred during a 1 week period in April. North Belfast also has above average suicide rates with 13 young men taking their own lives in the Ardoyne area during the first two months of this year.

Looking at the international picture, it is clear that suicide prevention strategies only work through the collaboration of organisations and individuals. The Public Health approach, which advocates a balance between early intervention for vulnerable people with the promotion of good mental health and prevention measures in general illustrates the benefits of inter-departmental co-operation on suicide.

The Republic of Ireland launched their Reach Out Strategy in September. I welcome Shaun Woodward’s comments that he will not dismiss an all-Island approach to suicide prevention (Suicide Prevention Conference, Ramada Hotel September 05) and I hope he follows through with a comprehensive strategy that will involve a holistic approach to tackling mental and emotional health.

There has been a lot of research into suicide worldwide and that has led to a greater recognition and awareness of the effects of mental illness and depression in particular. We need to draw on the expertise and best practice from other jurisdictions such as Ireland and Scotland in the development of our own strategy for N Ireland.

It is essential that we adopt an island wide approach but yet we also have to address the issues particular to Northern Ireland such as the clusters that have developed in North and West Belfast.

What is clear is that we need to develop a strategy that has government agencies, departments, local agencies, voluntary organisations as well as families and individuals working together to prevent the problem. It is not an issue that can be addressed in isolation, other issues such as poverty, social justice, social exclusion must be addressed. We must remove the stigma from mental ill health through education and awareness programmes and create opportunities for young people to improve their physical and mental health. It is about empowerment; allowing people to choose constructive options that will improve their self esteem, confidence and quality of life and reduce social isolation, conflict, inequality and in some cases abuse. A survey by the Samaritans questioned young people who engaged in self harm or had attempted suicide and the main reason cited for this type of behaviour was ‘to get relief from a terrible state of mind’ (Samaritans 2003).

Another aspect that needs special attention is the mental and emotional health of children. Many young children are adversely affected by poor parenting, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence and abuse, to name a few. Traumatic events in early childhood can lead to mental health difficulties in adolescence and adulthood like anger, sadness and powerlessness and unless these children are given the social skills and positive mechanisms to deal with their feelings and low self esteem, some cases will result in self harming activities and suicide attempts.

The Suicide Prevention Task Force is coming up with ways forward which includes issues such as suicide and self harm and mental health.

Currently in NI there are a number of small groups working with vulnerable young people but there are serious gaps in provision and services are stretched beyond their limits. Many young people are denied access to counselling and support services because of the length of waiting lists. There is no short term answer to this problem without a long term strategy that is adequately resourced. But most importantly we must listen to the voices of children and young people when making decisions about their lives. Every opportunity has to be taken to put across the message that life is not hopeless, that they are not alone and there should always be help available for them in their time of need and most importantly suicide is not the answer to their problems.