Department of Health criticised over delays in publishing updated suicide prevention action plan over funding shortfalls
A rapid review of Northern Ireland's suicide prevention strategy, Protect Life 2, was announced in December 2023. A report was due by March and an updated action plan was expected by June 2024.
The review report was eventually published in September, but the revised action plan has yet to be published.
In response to an Assembly question from west Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll in March, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that an updated plan and implementation strategy would be approved on April 3.
It has since emerged that despite being approved, the department will not publish the updated action plan due to funding shortfalls.
Pat McGreevy, chair of the Suicide Down To Zero charity and former mental health nurse, said the delay is 'symbolic of a government that doesn't consider suicide prevention a priority.'
'In 2023, there were 221 reported suicides in Northern Ireland. Research from the United States indicates that 135 people are affected by each suicide death,' he added.
"There seems no sense of urgency in relation to suicide in Northern Ireland, despite the fact that every week in Northern Ireland we lose four people to suicide leaving 540 people bereft.'
Mr McGreevy criticised the decision to withhold publication of the plan due to funding shortfalls.
'The public have a right to see the intention or even ambition of the action plan which in part can be caveated by subject to funds becoming available,' he said.
Sara Boyce, campaign organiser for Mental Health Rights: New Script — an initiative by the human rights NGO Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) — said the department had 'serious questions to answer about its commitment to suicide prevention.'
"What should have taken months has dragged on without explanation, sending a clear message that suicide prevention is not a priority,' said Ms Boyce.
'Now we're told there's no funding for a revised plan. Meanwhile, there is no suicide prevention target, no strategic allocation of resources, and no progress on proven interventions — such as raising bridge parapets or ensuring GPs receive suicide prevention training.
"Community and voluntary organisations are left to shoulder the burden, working tirelessly to save lives and support grieving families.'
Ms Boyce added that PPR are calling for the action plan to be published immediately with clear targets and sufficient funding.
They are also urging the Health Committee and Public Accounts Committee to 'investigate the unacceptable delays and ensure accountability."
Mr Carroll said it was 'not good enough' that plans had been approved without prioritising the necessary funding.
'A suicide epidemic is destroying the fabric of working-class communities, with rates over twice as high in the most deprived areas,' he added.
"Without adequate resources, these plans aren't worth the paper they're written on.
"Between 2019 (when the Protect Life 2 Strategy was first published) and 2023, over 1,000 people in the north have died by suicide. The Executive must resolve funding shortfall issues immediately; people's lives depend on it."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that Protect Life 2 has been extended until 2027.
They added that the action plan and implementation strategy were approved by Ministers at the Executive Working Group on Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention on April 3, subject to funding.
"Work on the plans has been completed and they will be published shortly once funding shortfall issues have been resolved,' added the spokesperson.
"The new Action Plan will contain a wide range of actions aiming to reduce the rate of suicide in Northern Ireland.'
Responding to claims that suicide prevention is not a priority for the department, the spokesperson said the Health Minister 'has made clear that he is fully committed to working towards a sustained reduction in suicide'
They added that this 'will only be possible with full implementation and delivery of all Protect Life 2 actions.'
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