Health workers meet to discuss drink and suicide link

The conference sought to promote practical actions, both local and cross border, to meet the needs of individuals and families more effectively.

Organisers included representatives from the CLEAR project and the Registry of Deliberate Self-Harm project, both of which are funded by Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA), along with CAWT's European Union INTERREG IVA funded 'Time IVA Change' Border Region Alcohol project,` with the support of the North West Alcohol Forum and Derry Healthy Cities.

Londonderry-based Brendan Bonner, Head of Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA, said: "The PHA in Northern Ireland will continue to build on the work already commissioned by us to address the underlying determinants that contribute to an individual taking their own lives or self harming.

"However, it's important to remember that the PHA can't address these issues alone. Often health and social care services have to pick up on the consequences of alcohol misuse and suicide, so more has to be done to drive forward a broader public response to addressing these issues in our society."

He added: "The PHA is committed to working with partners on both sides of the border to bring about real change in the culture and attitude to alcohol and to commission initiatives that address self esteem and resilience building, with a focus on those most at risk, their families, communities and carers."

Keynote speaker at the event Rory O'Connor, Professor of Psychology at the University of Stirling, highlighted the risk factors associated with suicide and self-harm.

He said: "Suicide and self-harm are major public health concerns. There are a large number of factors associated with suicide and self-harm including mental health problems, deprivation, life stress and substance misuse.

"Indeed, in a recent study in Northern Ireland, we found that heavy alcohol use was one of the factors strongly associated with self-harm among young people.

"However, more work is needed to better understand this relationship and how to best intervene to reduce suicide risk."

Speaking at the event John Hayes, Local Health Manager for the HSE emphasised the need for increased co-ordination and co-operation between service providers.

He said: "As CAWT cross border work demonstrates, the border need not be a barrier to the development of good communication and practical co-operation between service providers in both jurisdictions.

"The reality is that people cross the border regularly to work, socialise and shop, so we in the HSE will support actions to enable greater cross border engagement and dialogue in order to ensure client needs are better served."

The event showcased models of good practice in dealing with alcohol misuse, suicide and self-harm and explored further opportunities for partnership working and cross border engagement which will be put into action in the short to medium term.