Body Set up to Tackle NI Suicide

The government has taken steps to reduce the level of suicides in NI following a large rise in the number of people who take their own lives. The Suicide Strategy Implementation Body was announced by Health Minister Paul Goggins. Last year, 213 people took their lives in Northern Ireland, a rise of more than 60 from the previous year.

“Suicide is a terrible tragedy, which affects many people in our society,” Mr Goggins said.

“In addition to representatives from the relevant statutory and professional bodies, the new implementation body will include substantial representation from families bereaved by suicide, as well as members of those communities most affected and appropriate voluntary organisations.”

The body will be chaired by Colm Donaghy who also chaired the suicide taskforce.

The move has been welcomed by the Families’ Forum, a group set up for relatives bereaved by suicide in Northern Ireland.

Ann McGarrigle, chair of the forum said: The families are very much looking forward, with hope, to moving forward and working in partnership with government, voluntary organisations and communities to ensure the strategy is implemented effectively at local and regional levels across Northern Ireland.”