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| Big rise in calls to suicide helpline | Big rise in calls to suicide helpline |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There has been a large increase in people contacting Northern Ireland's main helpline for people at risk of suicide. | |
| Calls to the Lifeline crisis response service have risen by almost a third. | Calls to the Lifeline crisis response service have risen by almost a third. |
| The Public Health Agency recently carried out an evaluation of Lifeline, which was initially piloted in 2007. | The Public Health Agency recently carried out an evaluation of Lifeline, which was initially piloted in 2007. |
| In the final three months of 2011 there were 12,500 calls. In a three-month period in 2014 there were 17,500 crisis calls. | In the final three months of 2011 there were 12,500 calls. In a three-month period in 2014 there were 17,500 crisis calls. |
| Those calls are dealt with by six full-time telephone counsellors during the day and fewer at night. There are no volunteer telephone counsellors. | Those calls are dealt with by six full-time telephone counsellors during the day and fewer at night. There are no volunteer telephone counsellors. |
| Counselling sessions | Counselling sessions |
| Some respondents to the evaluation of the service said more staff were needed. | Some respondents to the evaluation of the service said more staff were needed. |
| Those who contact the service can have up to six free face-to-face counselling sessions - the first within five to 10 days of their initial call. | Those who contact the service can have up to six free face-to-face counselling sessions - the first within five to 10 days of their initial call. |
| Demand for this service has also increased over the past three years. | Demand for this service has also increased over the past three years. |
| In 2011 there were an average of 417 people a month who received further counselling. By 2013 this had risen to 595 people a month - a rise of 43%. | In 2011 there were an average of 417 people a month who received further counselling. By 2013 this had risen to 595 people a month - a rise of 43%. |
| However, some people who responded to the evaluation of the service said that it was easier for people in urban areas to access follow-up services. | However, some people who responded to the evaluation of the service said that it was easier for people in urban areas to access follow-up services. |
| They said the first 48 hours after someone initially approached the service were crucial so it may not be ideal that people have to wait five to 10 days for further counselling. | They said the first 48 hours after someone initially approached the service were crucial so it may not be ideal that people have to wait five to 10 days for further counselling. |
| Despite a suicide prevention strategy throughout the Department of Health being in place since 2006, suicide rates in Northern Ireland have remained high - especially among men. | Despite a suicide prevention strategy throughout the Department of Health being in place since 2006, suicide rates in Northern Ireland have remained high - especially among men. |
| Two hundred and ninety one suicides were registered in Northern Ireland in 2006. That rose to 313 in 2010, but came down to 278 in 2012. | Two hundred and ninety one suicides were registered in Northern Ireland in 2006. That rose to 313 in 2010, but came down to 278 in 2012. |