SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has issued a stark warning to the Executive, stating that Northern Ireland’s suicide prevention efforts are failing, and that without immediate, sustained action, more lives will be lost.
Speaking following the closure of the Community Crisis Intervention Service (CCIS) in Derry last week, Mr Durkan said the system is “failing those in need” and slammed the Executive’s failure to adequately fund the Mental Health Strategy, despite all parties pledging support in their election manifestos.
The MLA for Foyle said: “Over the years I’ve spoken with far too many families bereaved by suicide.
“The common thread in many of those stories is that the system simply didn’t provide timely support for their loved ones when they needed it most.
“We’re failing to connect those in crisis with the care and support they need, when they need it.
“Awareness of mental health has thankfully improved, but it’s meaningless without action. Just over 5% of our health budget is allocated to mental health here in the North, less per capita than elsewhere in the UK, despite having the highest levels of need.
“That’s unacceptable. Meanwhile, the Executive has failed to allocate additional funding to support the full implementation of the Mental Health Strategy. Also, suicide prevention is one of the most glaring omissions from the Programme for Government.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen progress on mental health going backwards. Children are missing out on mental health support that would build resilience for later life, with the removal of the Healthy Happy Minds Counselling Programme.
“Local services that families rely on are vanishing overnight because funding isn’t being protected.
“We hear a lot of promises and platitudes. But the truth is the Mental Health Strategy is not being prioritised in real terms by the Executive.
“Until that changes, more lives will be lost and that failure will rest on the shoulders of those parties holding the purse strings who could have acted but didn’t.
“This cannot be another crisis swept under the carpet. The Executive must face up to its responsibility and invest in saving lives.”
