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01/02/2008
Poverty Doesn't Mean Suicide Looms
Being poor doesn't mean being at more risk of suicide or self-harm.
A major new survey claims that living in deprived areas of Northern Ireland does not heighten the chances of suicide.
The news was revealed as Assembly Health Minister Michael McGimpsey was announcing a special suicide 'helpline'.
Dr Dermot O'Reilly of Queen's University said: "Where you live doesn't add to that risk."
He said that the study indicated that once individual and household characteristics are taken into account, then the higher rates of suicide found in social fragmented areas, disappeared.
Research by the university's Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the school of medicine involved more than a million people in Northern Ireland in one of the largest long term studies of suicide risk undertaken in the UK.
Meanwhile, the new helpline ust launched will cost approximately £3.5million each year to run and follows a successful pilot in north and west Belfast.
The Minister said that callers will be able to speak to a trained counsellor and additional support services are also available and more will be put in place over the coming months to ensure that callers receive the back-up help they require.
In addition, £46million will be invested over the next three years in the provision of services in the community for those with mental health needs.
The helpline number is 0808 808 8000.
(BMcC)
A major new survey claims that living in deprived areas of Northern Ireland does not heighten the chances of suicide.
The news was revealed as Assembly Health Minister Michael McGimpsey was announcing a special suicide 'helpline'.
Dr Dermot O'Reilly of Queen's University said: "Where you live doesn't add to that risk."
He said that the study indicated that once individual and household characteristics are taken into account, then the higher rates of suicide found in social fragmented areas, disappeared.
Research by the university's Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the school of medicine involved more than a million people in Northern Ireland in one of the largest long term studies of suicide risk undertaken in the UK.
Meanwhile, the new helpline ust launched will cost approximately £3.5million each year to run and follows a successful pilot in north and west Belfast.
The Minister said that callers will be able to speak to a trained counsellor and additional support services are also available and more will be put in place over the coming months to ensure that callers receive the back-up help they require.
In addition, £46million will be invested over the next three years in the provision of services in the community for those with mental health needs.
The helpline number is 0808 808 8000.
(BMcC)
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