The SDLP in Strabane have today joined the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and marked World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) by raising awareness in social media and throughout the local area that suicide can be prevented.
SDLP Sperrin Representative and Strabane District spokesperson, Patrick Leonard, has spoken of the need to address and prevent the scourge of suicide by asking the people throughout the Strabane District to join the SDLP on September 10th and help spread awareness of this important day throughout social media and within their local communities.
Speaking about the significant rise in suicide rates throughout Northern Ireland over the last 15 years Mr Leonard said:
“Throughout our local Strabane community, across Northern Ireland, the health service, and in the media – we as a society are aware more and more of the impact suicide has in terms of a family, schools, work place, and our many residential areas. Suicide and self-harm are one of the most prevalent public health concerns to come to the fore in Northern Ireland, particularly in more recent years, it is extremely alarming that suicide related deaths have more than doubled from 150 in 1998 to 313 in 2010 and 303 in 2013.”
“In the year ahead we must continue to work together with our public services to ensure we as a society are in a position to address suicide, prevent suicide and to provide the proper professional and community based support for those who have attempted suicide, have self-harmed, or have suicidal thoughts.”
“Suicide prevention and identifying the signs is key to stemming the tide of suicide throughout our communities. Sadly, between 2005 and 2009 almost a third of young deaths aged between 15 and 34 were attributed to suicide in Northern Ireland.”
“Our advice to anyone who may be suffering out there is that you’re not alone; there is help available and someone always there to listen, support and advise you.”
“We would like to commend the Department of Health and the many charitable organisations such as; Aware Defeat Depression, HURT, Samaritans, Life Line and many others for their continuing hard work in addressing suicide through education, counselling and support services.”
“The Public Health Agency cannot do all that we need it to do alone. Especially in rural areas, we need to be mindful that often, only piecemeal services are in place, and key support services are available only in urban areas – this is something, which must be addressed, and the Executive should prioritise.”
Mr Leonard concluded: “Today, please remember all those who continue to suffer in silence, those who lost their lives, and for the many families who lost a loved one to suicide.”
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