Promoting Well Being

In October 2006, the Protect Life A Shared Vision – The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2006 – 2011 was launched by the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). The aim of the Protect Life Strategy is to reduce the overall suicide rate in Northern Ireland by 15% by 2011. Whilst Government has a key role to play in reducing the number of suicides within Northern Ireland our ability as a society to turn the tide on this situation relies on everyone seeing suicide prevention as their business. This requires a response on the part of Government and its agencies which focuses substantially on working in partnership with individuals, professionals, families, communities and the voluntary sector to ensure an effective and well integrated approach to tackling this situation to ensure that all efforts are made to reduce the number of people taking their own lives.

In response to the Protect Life Strategy, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust has established an Interagency Protect Life

Implementation Group. This group is chaired by Francis Rice, Director of Mental Health and Disability and executive Director of Nursing. There is representation from the Southern Education and Library Board, Pupil Personal Development Service and Youth Service, Police Service for Northern Ireland, local Church forum, local community and voluntary sector groups, district and borough councils as well as key Trust and Public Health Agency staff. The Protect Life Implementation group is responsible for developing a locally based action plan that addresses the key actions of the regional Protect Life – a Shared Vision Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2006 -2011.  The group meets quarterly to discuss progress and identify local priorities for action.