Call for more services after suicide incidents

A CRUMLIN councillor has called for more counselling services after two people took their own lives in separate incidents in the past month.

Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Logue called on the Northern Health Trust to address the lack of primary care and counselling services available in the area.

Councillor Logue said: “Crumlin has witnessed two people taking their own lives over the past month. This is a local tragedy and I would like to extend my sympathies to the families and friends of those who have died.

“It is clear to many within this community that there is a lack of service provision in terms of primary care and counselling services in the wider Crumlin area.”

Mrs Logue urged the Northern Trust to address the issues.

“The reality on the ground is that the majority of local people do not look towards Antrim town as a centre for services,” she said. “There must be local, accessible provision.

“Suicide is taking the lives of more of our people on an annual basis than deaths on roads. While the reduction of road deaths is to be welcomed, we must see the same resources applied to mental health services.

“Statutory agencies need to come together to tackle this. We need to move away from the stigma attached to mental health and allow people the freedom to talk

“My party colleagues put forward a motion in the Assembly this week that suicide prevention strategies must become an urgent priority for the Executive and the Programme for Government.

“All departments and all agencies must play their part and provide sufficient resources for local communities.”