Mid Ulster’s rural areas to benefit from suicide charity’s new mobile service

The organisation, which operates suicide prevention and awareness raising services, caters for people living in the Dungannon, Cookstown and wider Mid Ulster areas.

At a special pre-launch event for the new facility, Health Minister Jim Wells praised the initiative.

The DUP Mayor for Dungannon and South Tyrone, Cllr Roger Burton, was also given a tour of the new mobile service, which has been especially tailored for rural communities.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The Foundation was delighted to have recently received funding from Ulster Garden Villages Ltd and Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council Legacy Fund, both for the purchase and refurbishment of an exhibition vehicle and trailer for outreach work within rural communities across Northern Ireland.”

The unit has been transformed into a mobile intervention and awareness facility to bridge the gaps in mental health, suicide, and self-harm prevention and intervention within rural areas, through awareness raising and one to one intervention sessions with the aim of attending events such as farmers’ marts, schools and sporting events.

Health Minister Jim Wells said: “I want people to respond to their mental health in the same way as they view physical health and access to the right support at the right time can prevent suicide.

“This new mobile therapy and intervention unit will contribute greatly to suicide prevention in the Tyrone and Armagh areas by providing support right to the heart of local communities.

“The Niamh Louise Foundation is to be commended for its dedication and contribution to suicide prevention.”

The charity was also delighted on the day to launch a new piece of mosaic art created by their Recovery and Wellbeing Group, facilitated by Beam Creative Network and funded by ESB Ireland.

It has been created to offer hope and recovery to those bereaved or affected by suicide.