Ministers must show determination to tackle youth suicide

12.48.00am GMT Tue 10th Jan 2006

Young Alliance Chair, Cllr Ian James Parsley, has said that Ministers must match words with action and ensure the provision of counselling services for young people at risk of suicide.

Speaking after a meeting with ContactYouth, which provides counselling and crisis services for young people, the North Down Councillor stated: "I understand fully that Ministers are facing tough decisions on funding, and that they would rather local Ministers were taking responsibility for them. I sympathize with this."

It was direct-rule Ministers who, rightly, identified suicide prevention as a key priority for Government. In that context, I have written to the Minister for Children stating that he must secure the future of counselling and crisis organizations aimed at young people, particularly those prone to depression and other mental health problems. Young people in Northern Ireland cannot wait for the 'Big Four' parties to sort themselves out, the Minister must act now.

Northern Ireland faces a specific crisis in this area. It is not just a clicheé to say that we are coming out of conflict and have specific requirements. In a society where human life has for so long been deemed so cheap, it should be no surprise that suicide is such a significant problem now.

We are talking about an amount of funding which would be minimal yet crucial. If the Government wishes to deal with this problem by actions not words, it must ensure that organization's helping people to help themselves must be a priority for resources and finance.

ENDS