The seventh meeting of the Executive Working Group on Wellbeing,
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention has taken place.
During the meeting, Ministers heard from Ellen Finlay, Samaritans
Development and Policy Officer for Northern Ireland, who
discussed research commissioned by the charity in relation to
poverty, inequality and suicidality in Northern Ireland.
The research provides an understanding of the socio-economic
drivers of suicide in NI across economic, political, social and
cultural domains. It finds that to address these structural risk
factors, a cross-government approach is essential.
Speaking after the meeting, Health Minister said: “Since taking office, I
have made tackling health inequalities one of my key areas of
focus. I have also been clear that this goes beyond my Department
and requires cross-department collaboration.
“That is particularly the case around tackling mental health
issues and suicide. Effective suicide prevention requires a
collaborative approach across government and all sectors of
society and this group is a key facilitator of this shared
approach. The recent increase in deaths by suicide underlines the
need to tackle social determinants in suicide prevention work and
reinvigorate our efforts across Departments.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Samaritans for
highlighting this crucial issue. I greatly value the contribution
that Samaritans make to suicide prevention both in terms of the
provision of the listening ear service and indeed to shaping
policy and improving outcomes in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Discussions were also held on plans to introduce suicide
awareness training across the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
Plans are being developed to deliver a suicide awareness training
package in the coming months. It will initially be rolled out in
the Department of Health, before being extended to other
Departments.
Notes to editors:
- The Executive Working Group has a clear commitment across the
Executive to joint working to improve wellbeing and mental
health, with suicide prevention as a central priority. All
Ministers are represented on the Working Group, which is chaired
by the Health Minister. The Group aims to identify and address
the social determinants that impact on wellbeing and the risk
factors for suicide. The Group also examines wider progress in
relation to the implementation of the Protect Life 2 Strategy.
