DERRY JOURNAL Editorial - Preventing further mental health decline and tragedy is the most important job of all

NOT ONE LESS... crisis services are often reliant on public donations or facing other funding difficulties despite regularly and routinely saving lives.

It is an all too familiar story in Derry and across our region, each one a tragedy, each of those people special, unique and gifted in their own way.

Despite being hollowed out by grief and pain, families who have been left devastated by suicide in this city have found the strength to lead the charge in highlighting the need for more resources, for urgent specialist intervention services that deal with people at the point of crisis. The hard-fought campaign eventually led to the establishment of the Crisis Intervention Service in this city, although there have been calls for much more. The CIS was brought into being because of the efforts of those families and the communities that rallied behind. The pilot service has made a big difference and saved numerous lives, and helped many on the road to mental health recovery. It is shameful that it has had to face funding crisis after funding crisis.

The primary job of government is to protect people’s welfare and keep people alive. Services like CIS do just that, along with Foyle Search & Rescue, HURT, Zest, Pieta House, White Oaks and a whole host of others who have been our guardian angels, working away with little fanfare and often little funding, quietly saving and transforming lives.

One of those who have been to the forefront in highlighting the need for investment in mental health services and suicide prevention services is Dr Siobhan O’Neill. She was recently appointed Mental Health Champion for NI- a crucial role and Professor O’Neill has been a vocal advocate for those most affected. Her job will entail advocating that decisions made at Executive level take account of mental health in the future across departments. If we are in the business of protecting lives then ministers and their departments here and elsewhere must listen. They fail at this, people die. Succeed, and lives are saved. It’s that stark.

*Lifeline can be contacted on 0808 808 8000.