Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 27°CSunday 24°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
HealthNews

Durkan calls for suicide task force to be set up in North West

written by John July 31, 2018
ShareTweet

Mark H Durkan withi his beloved sister Gay who tragically took her own life in 2011

FORMER Stormont minister Mark H Durkan whose sister tragically took her own life has called for a suicide task force to be set up in the North West.

The Foyle MLA has written to the permanent secretary of the Department of Health, Richard Pengelly, stating “urgent action” is needed in the Foyle constituency.

His sister, Gay, died in 2011.

Mr Durkan told BBC News NI he still struggles to come to terms with her death.

“It is not something I will ever forget,” he said.

“It came as a huge shock. It was something I could not quite understand and is something I still don’t quite understand.

“When I talk to other people affected by suicide many people have similar stories,” he added.

Mr Durkan said suicide “seems like an ever increasing problem” in the Foyle area.

He said its impact is devastating for families and communities and investment and intervention is needed urgently.

He told BBC Radio Foyle: “I am seeking the establishment of a high level suicide prevention task force here in my constituency.

“People are stopping me in the streets, people are contacting me on social media, they are coming into my office to talk about the issue of suicide.

“When we go to schools now it is the thing that young people want to talk about, even more so than about jobs or education. I believe we should all be talking about it.”

In the letter, Mr Durkan said a taskforce should involve a number of statutory agencies as well as community and voluntary sector organisations.

He also urges Mr Pengelly to consider including representatives from the education sector.

“There are a lot of people working extremely hard on this issue and I think it is important that through closer collaboration, through a more strategic outlook, we could ensure that people are not just working hard but are working effectively together in order to save lives,” Mr Durkan said.

Durkan calls for suicide task force to be set up in North West was last modified: August 1st, 2018 by John

Tags:
#Durkan calls for suicide task force to be set up in North WestFOYLE MLAGay DurkanMark H DurkanSDLP
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Man arrested in Derry over murder bid...

11 hours ago

Man to face Derry court over cannabis...

1 day ago

Man arrested in Derry after 120 cannabis...

2 days ago

Derry Labour Market Partnership celebrate success of...

2 days ago

Savour the best of the North West...

2 days ago

Bin collections and Recycling Centres operate as...

2 days ago

Finance Minister visits sites of Derry Strabane...

2 days ago

Durkan: We need to get serious about...

2 days ago

Police appeal over children playing in derelict...

2 days ago

Strabane success in promoting Vibrant Town in...

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy