Assembly To Discuss NI Suicides

A special conference is being held in Stormont on Monday to discuss the issue of suicide in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein will host the day, on the theme of ‘Suicide – A Preventable Crisis’.

It will include a range of speakers, including bereaved relatives, community based organisations, as well as a number of political representatives.

A mural was unveiled at the weekend in west Belfast by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to highlight the issue.

The mural, which provides information on help lines, was designed by the Falls Youth Providers and local people in the area who have been affected by suicide.

Mr Adams said more needed to be done.

“The number of reported suicides in Ireland have risen by more than 25% in the last 10 years. North and west Belfast have been particularly affected,” he said.

“Monday’s conference and the decision last week by the health committee of the assembly to investigate this issue will provide opportunities for widespread discussion on this vital matter.”