Advice and support for those bereaved by suicide, at Foyle Film Festival

Advice and support for those bereaved by suicide, at Foyle Film Festival

As part of International Suicide Survivors Day (19 November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Foyle Film Festival are inviting anyone bereaved or affected by suicide to a panel discussion, for advice and support, at 7:15pm, 24 November, in the Nerve Centre, Magazine Street, Derry. An audience discussion will follow the screening of the ‘International Survivors of Suicide Day’ film, one of 250 showings throughout the world, on six continents, to mark International Suicide Survivors Day.

In Northern Ireland there were 313 (provisional figures) registered deaths by suicide and undetermined intent in 2010 and although many of these deaths occurred before 2010 (1), this is the highest number of registered deaths in recent years. This film and discussion event aims to mainly support adults affected by suicide, but it is also appropriate for most secondary school aged children to watch with a parent or guardian.

Brendan Bonner, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (West), PHA, and chair of the Western Suicide Strategy Implementation Group, said: “Suicide is a major problem in Northern Ireland, so it is important that we continue to work in partnership with those on the ground who are often best placed to see the needs and provide local solutions. This event is an opportunity for family members and friends surviving suicide loss to discuss their issues and concerns, perhaps feel less isolated and to get support and information to help them cope with their loss.  

“This 90 minute film is a blend of emotional support, information about resources for healing, and panel debates with "experienced" survivors and mental health professionals, who discuss their experiences and answer the questions that so many newly bereaved survivors face: Why did this happen? How do I cope? Where can I find support?

“We would urge anyone who has been affected by suicide loss to attend. Our local panel will include someone affected by suicide along with PHA, health and social care trust and community professionals, all of whom are experienced in supporting people through these difficult and tragic experiences. We will also have trained counsellors available, should they be needed.”

The ‘International Survivors of Suicide Day’ film and discussion, organised by the PHA for those affected by suicide, runs from 7:15 – 9:15pm, 24 November, in the Nerve Centre, Magazine Street, Derry. This event is free.

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline: 0808 808 8000. It is a confidential service, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow-up with other support if necessary. This confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the website www.lifelinehelpline.info  

The 24th Foyle Film Festival runs from Wednesday 23rd - Sunday 27th November 2011, for more information go to www.foylefilmfestival.org

Further information

Contact the PHA Press Office on 028 9031 1611.

Notes to the editor
  • International Survivors of Suicide Day was officially founded by U.S. Senate resolution in 1999 through the efforts of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who lost his father to suicide.
  • The DVD of International Survivors of Suicide Day has been produced, created and sponsored for the last 13 years by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
  • When reporting on suspected suicide, please abide by The Samaritans/Irish Association of Suicidology Media Guidelines for the Portrayal of Suicide, available at: www.samaritans.org/pdf/IrishMediaGuidelines2009.pdf
  • The Lifeline number is 0808 808 8000 and lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The website address is www.lifelinehelpline.info.
  • The Lifeline counselling service is delivered by Contact, in partnership with a Northern Ireland-wide network of community based organisations which provide face-to-face counselling, complementary therapies and befriending to clients referred from Lifeline.

Reference

(1) The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency publish population data, including statistics on deaths by suicide and undermined intent: www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/births_deaths/deaths_2010.pdf