18 January 2008

Suicide Prevention – the importance of community interventions

A major seminar aimed at sharing information on suicide prevention projects both North and South of the Border has taken place in Armagh.

The event, which was attended by 200 delegates, provided an opportunity to showcase models of cross border practice and the role that statutory, community and voluntary organisations play in suicide prevention, intervention and post-intervention via highlighting best practice and research.

Presentations were made by PIPS Newry, Dundalk Outcomers, Rural Health Partnership in Cullyhanna, Action Mental Health’s MensSana Project, Niamh Louise Foundation, Mindurself, Church of Ireland, PSNI and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

Chief Executive of the Trust, Colm Donaghy, said that identifying mental health needs and addressing suicide prevention within and between local communities was seen as a key priority of the Trust and the Health Service Executive in the Republic.

“This seminar on ‘Suicide Prevention – the importance of community interventions’ highlights the level of interest in sharing research and learning, and the opportunities to develop partnerships and network with other voluntary, community and statutory organisations in a cross-border capacity.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Trust’s Mental Health Protect Life Action Plan, and the new locality databases for the three areas of Armagh and Dungannon, Craigavon and Banbridge, and Newry and Mourne. Copies of ‘Useful Contacts for Emotional Health and Well Being’ are now available from local Trust Community Development Units.”

The seminar was organised by the Community Development Team at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and the Training Development Unit at the Health Service Executive, Dublin North East. Additional funding was provided by Cooperation And Working Together.