Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any actions he is taking to address the rising suicide rates in Northern Ireland; and (ii) how his Department is working to improve mental health services and support for individuals at risk.
Minister of Health: I am acutely aware of the devastating impact of each and every suicide, not only in the lost life but also the impact on loved ones and communities. I believe every suicide is preventable up to the point of completion, so while we may set realistic targets, in reality the only acceptable number is zero. The NISRA statistics caution against inferences being drawn on one year changes. The 3 year rolling average of suicide deaths has remained relatively stable since 2017. It should also be noted that suicide statistics relate to year of registration by the coroner and not the number of deaths within that calendar year.
The Department has worked with stakeholders and other Departments to update the new Protect Life Action Plan and Implementation Plan. The Executive Working Group on Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention has been re-established and its first meeting was held on 3 April. This group will provide a renewed focus for all Ministers on suicide and self-harm prevention. The new Protect Life Action Plan and Implementation Plan were discussed at the Executive Working Group on 3 April and will be published very shortly. The new Action Plan will commit to a range of actions across all Departments across five key themes of: A Whole of Government and Society Approach; Awareness and Prevention; Supporting Compassionate Responses to Suicide; Supporting Compassionate Responses to Self Harm; and finally, Research, Evidence and Planning. The actions underpinning these themes will contain a wide range of deliverable actions over the coming years.
The Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2031 sets out the vision and future direction for mental health services in Northern Ireland over the next decade.
A broad intention of the Mental Health Strategy is to put the individual’s needs at the centre, rather than their diagnosis. The Strategy seeks to ensure a “no wrong door approach” and aims to ensure that all staff are trained to identify and address the specific needs of particular at-risk groups.
The Strategy lists 35 actions that set out a clear direction of travel to support and promote good mental health across our region and reduce the stigma around it. Implementation of a range of Strategy actions is being progressed through annual delivery plans and subject to budget availability.
Delivering a new Regional Mental Health Crisis Service is a commitment in the Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031, under Actions 12 and 27. The Department’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group and the Public Health Agency are working in partnership to deliver on both of these actions, to ensure there is an effective crisis service established for all citizens of Northern Ireland.
ENDS
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