ABC Council has backed a call for “urgent action” on suicide prevention and mental health funding.
It follows a proposal brought to the council chamber by Banbridge Councillor Joy Ferguson, who told councillors of the extent and impact across the borough.
In 2023, 21 people lost their lives to suicide in the ABC Council area – leaving families, friends and communities to cope with devastating loss.
Across Northern Ireland, a further 290 lives were lost to suicide in 2024, including 230 men and 60 women.
Lives lost to suicide remain the leading cause of death in males under 50, according to Councillor Ferguson, who highlighted the vital role being played by community and voluntary organisations, particularly as people can face delays for clinical mental health support.
“Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a grieving community experiencing unimaginable loss,” she said.
“Local organisations such as Just a Chat, The STIG Initiative, Changing Lives NI and PIPS Hope and Support are providing a listening ear, practical support and a safe, non-judgemental space for people who are struggling. We need to recognise and properly fund this vital work.”
Councillor Ferguson also welcomed the recent safeTALK training undertaken by a cross-party delegation of councillors from PIPS Hope and Support, describing it as “an important demonstration of the council’s shared commitment to suicide prevention”.
Changing Lives NI, a Gilford-based organisation provides a safe and welcoming place for people of all ages who may be struggling with their mental health.
Representatives, Leeanne Carey, Wendy McCartan and Jason McIldoon, in a statement, said: “We understand the impact that poor mental health and suicide can have on families, and that is why we are so passionate about making sure people have somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point.
“With the right investment, we could increase counselling, extend opening hours and reach more people across our rural communities. Our message has always been clear, early intervention is prevention. Additional funding can help us reach people earlier, support families and ultimately help save lives.”
Conor Hegarty, from Just a Chat, a community mental health charity based in Craigavon, said the community and voluntary sector can play a crucial role in reaching people early.
“Every single day, we see the reality of people in our community struggling and reaching out for help,” he added. “For many, community organisations like ours are a lifeline when they feel they have nowhere else to turn. But we cannot carry this growing need alone.
“Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility, and community organisations need sustainable support to continue being there for people when they need us.”
Councillor Ferguson called on ABC Council to write to the Health Minister and the Northern Ireland Executive, urging them to prioritise mental health and suicide prevention by ring-fencing funding for early intervention, strengthening links between statutory services and the community and voluntary sector, properly funding community organisations and expanding community-based counselling and wellbeing support in rural areas.
She added: “We must continue the conversation, reduce stigma and make sure that, when someone reaches out for help, there is someone there to answer.”
The call comes following a recent All-Party Group inquiry at Stormont, which highlighted suicide prevention as a shared responsibility across government and wider society.
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