Foyle Search and Rescue has called for urgent action to fully fund and protect mental health services in the North.

The Derry-based river rescue service has joined with the PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity in issuing a statement calling for the Executive to fully fund the Executive’s 2021-23 Mental Health Strategy.

Records show that between 2013 and 2024 Foyle Search and Rescue responded to 3,576 incidents involving people at risk, with 55 deaths following prolonged searches — meaning that in over 98 per cent of cases, lives were saved.

These figures demonstrate what is possible when early intervention and rapid response are available, the charities said. However, too many people who are brought to safety still encounter unacceptable barriers to accessing ongoing mental health care.

Included are Foyle Search and Rescue Charity Manager, Christina McKeegan and PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity Chief Executive Renee Quinn as they issued a joint statement calling for mental health to be fully funded.

placeholder image — Included are Foyle Search and Rescue Charity Manager, Christina McKeegan and PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity Chief Executive Renee Quinn as they issued a joint statement calling for mental health to be fully funded.

Every person in crisis deserves timely, compassionate, and properly resourced support, they added.

The significant intervention follows Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s recent review of the deliverability of the Mental Health Strategy’s actions for the 2026-2029 period that last year concluded there was a substantial funding shortfall against the strategy’s estimated £1.2 billion cost.

In 2024 alone, 290 registered deaths by suicide were recorded in the North - a 31 per cent increase on the previous year.

Renée Quinn, Chief Executive of PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity, stated: "Every life lost is one too many. Right now, people in crisis are being failed by a system that is underfunded and overstretched. These are not statistics — these are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters — and we are demanding immediate action to fully fund and protect mental health services before more lives are lost."

Foyle Search and Rescue Charity Manager Christine McKeegan, on left, has called for the Mental Health Strategy to be fully funded.

The charity’s point out how five years on from the launch of the Mental Health Strategy 2021–2031, only 16 per cent of funding had been allocated by the end of 2024/25 — a fraction of the £1.2 billion promised over ten years.

"Every person in crisis deserves timely, compassionate, properly resourced care, yet frontline services remain under intense pressure. From emergency rescue to crisis support, we see first hand the consequences of under-resourced mental health services.

“We are calling on government leaders to act now: fully fund the Mental Health Strategy and publish clear delivery timelines so communities know when - and how - lifesaving services will be protected,” the charity’s said.

Over 5,000 people have signed a petition established by PIPS as part of the campaign for action.

Members of the public can sign the petition at: https://www.change.org/p/too-many-lives-lost-to-suicide-stand-with-pips-charity-demand-change

There is help available around the clock, every single day of the year.

Contact:

Minding Your Head at http://www.mindingyourhead.info

Lifeline – a free 24-hour crisis response helpline for people who are experiencing distress or despair, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if necessary. Phone 0808 808 8000 Website http://www.lifelinehelpline.info

Samaritans – a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout UK and Ireland, often through their telephone helpline or online chat. Freephone 116 123 Website https://www.samaritans.org/