More people have died by suicide since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, than the total of those killed during the Troubles.
Cost of the Troubles Study 1999
• 40,000 people have been injured in the troubles
• 91% of those killed were male
• 37% were under the age of 24
• Over 41% of those killed lived in postal districts BT11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 48 and BT35.
‘If we can generalise from all this, we conclude that the troubles have been a killer of young males from North and West Belfast, Derry/Londonderry or the border areas.’
Snapshot of North Belfast
• Scored 2nd of the 100 SOA in terms of multiple deprivation levels in N.Ireland (NISRA)
• In 2022 Belfast Trust area had the most deaths by suicide (51)
• The percentage of suicides in 2022 from Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas (31.0 per cent) was over three times that of the least deprived areas (9.4 per cent).
• There are more than 100 peace walls in Belfast
An International Perspective
In the 20 years since September 11 terror attacks, four times as many deaths among members of the military have been caused by suicide compared to those killed in action. That’s 30,177 active duty personnel and veterans of the post-9/11 wars who have taken their own lives.
(Boston University; Kat J McAlpine Sept. 2021)
An International Perspective
"In our culture, men would rather die than ask for help. We say that when a soldier is singing his heart is bleeding. So if he says, 'I am fine', he is not good.”
Father Dmitriev, Military Chaplain, Ukraine
(Joel Gunter, Feb.2022 BBC News)
Our Mission
To be an organisation at the heart of the community that works to prevent suicide and provides a beacon of hope to those affected by suicide.
Services & Projects
Crisis Work
Counselling
Family Support • Art & Complementary Therapies
Training • Corporate Counselling (Balcas)
Ask Twice Project Group Work
1-1 mentoring support
Awareness talks on wellbeing
Mentoring training for senior students
Specifically focused on working with young people with poor mental health
Our Learning
• The biggest issue we face is a devastatingly low sense of self
• They are so frightened of being judged / information shared
• “Why would anyone want to listen to me?”
• Sometimes feel they do not have the language to verbalise feelings
• Wear a mask, struggling can present as anger, isolation or destructive behaviours
• Choose not to confide in parents/family/carers, because they do not want to be a burden (‘My mummy/daddy/carer has enough going on’)
• They are a great source of support for each other
• *NOT ALL REQUIRE COUNSELLING, OFTEN JUST WANT SOMEONE TO LISTEN*
Does it work?
1. Now that I have participated in a workshop / presentation, I have a greater understanding of mental health: Agree: 83.1% Disagree: 13.1% Don’t know: 3.8%
2. I have a greater knowledge of services that I could go to if I needed emotional support. Agree: 90%
4% Don’t know: 6%
1. I am aware of some things I can do that promote good mental health?
For those completing the Rosenberg Self Esteem Questionnaires;
76.5% reported an increase in self esteem
Comments from young people
‘I felt like I hated everyone in my life. I had one friend online that I could talk to but I stopped talking to anyone and I kept everything to myself, which just made me feel worse. Eventually at the start of December I had to go to A & E because I threatened to kill myself, then I was referred to CAMHS & Lighthouse which brought me here. I struggled with family, friends and self esteem’. (13 year old)
What have you learnt about yourself?
• I’ve learnt that I’m a powerful being and I can attract anything I want, now that I know my worth.
• That I am strong.
• I have learnt that I can be too hard on myself, and I’ve learned that I always have a choice.
• My problems aren’t irrelevant.
St.Malachy’s Group Work
• Buy in • Carrots
• The Space • Meditation
• Organic flow
• Tears of joy & sadness
• The ending that isn’t the end
• Results Day
Comments from young people bereaved by suicide (aged 13 -14)
1. Is group work a good way to support young people bereaved by suicide?
Yes
If yes, can you tell us why?
• We have all lost our friend and can be there for each other
• Yes, it makes you feel more comfortable talking to multiple people
• Because you are always there for each other
• The group has helped me through our friend’s death very well, now I talk more and can feel a lot better
• Lets you talk about things you wouldn’t normally
Comments from young men bereaved by suicide (aged 16 -17)
• ‘I feel a lot more confident after doing group exercises, speaking out in front of groups. This really took me out of my comfort zone and gave me the courage to do a speech at my friends anniversary mass’
• ‘I feel now that I can understand why I feel the way I do and have a good understanding of the process of my grief’
• ‘For the first time I was able to tackle the problems that were so apparent and always at the forefront of my mind. Looking back, these problems were simple and easily dealt with’
• ‘Yes, my emotional health has fluctuated over the past 2 years but the group definitely helps morale and being around great people definitely keeps me going’
• ‘When the group first started, I was at the lowest point of my life and actively considered suicide. Now I believe that I no longer need much help and I am the happiest I have ever been’
The ‘Secret’ Ingredients
(Why does it work)
• Humanity, the relationship is the bedrock
• Genuineness, simply showing you care
• Empathy
• Humour
• Safe Space, foundation for outstanding work
• Minibus /campfire / mountaineering expedition
• Challenge builds self belief & a sense of personal achievement
• Responsibility
• Peer support
Next Steps
Department for Education NI
Education Authority
CIRT (Critical Incident Response Team)
Ulster University (Dept. of Psychology)
Wellness v’s Academia
Trauma Informed Promotion
In Memory of Carl
Thank you, enjoy the Summit and your time in Belfast!
