Pedestrians walked past man in distress

The man was lying prone on the footpath near the railway station on Friday evening when he was seen by Fountain youth worker Graham Warke.

And he has called for the city to provide an intervention centre and detox unit to help people in crisis.

“ I saw what I thought was a body on the footpath and people were just walking past him,” he said.

“It was absolutely traumatising to me. I was so frustrated and annoyed and angry.

“I am so concerned about the amount of untreated mental health issues in the city at the minute, and the rising suicide rate and the amount of substance abuse in the city.

“I was on my way to take pictures for a project I was working on when, on my left I saw an ambulance and crew on Craigavon Bridge dealing with someone who was so down they wanted to take their own life.

“I am so concerned about the amount of untreated mental health issues in the city at the minute, and the rising suicide rate and the amount of substance abuse in the city.

“I am currently working on a DVD about the impact of legal highs and the damage they can do, and I just got so angry when I saw all of this happening.

“What we need is an intervention unit in this city that is open 24 hours a day, of every week all year and we need to put together an intervention system for the north west. It is no good that people have to travel to get help.

“All that does is remove them from their support base.

“We also urgently need a detox centre in this city. It is shameful that you have to leave your city and your family in order to get help,”

As the man, understood to be a street drinker, lay there, Mr Warke said at the same time on Craigavon Bridge an ambulance crew was working with another person who had tried to take their life.