§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the suicide rate in north and west Belfast. [85033]
§ Mr. BrowneI am concerned at the number of suicides in North and West Belfast. The North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust has developed a strategy for positive mental health promotion and suicide prevention which was launched in 1999. The Trust has appointed a suicide awareness co-ordinator who is working with a wide range of community and statutory agencies to provide information, training and support. In addition the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety will be issuing a mental health promotion strategy and action plan early in the New Year which will include a separate section on suicide prevention.