The Difference We Make
Education and awareness
The five workshops we provide include:
- A.S.I.S.T. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
- B+Positive training
- SafeTALK
- Suicide TALK
- Mental Health First Aid Training
These types of training workshops increases greater awareness with regard to reducing risk factors of suicide and increasing protective factors, The more people who feel confident and willing to explore possible signs of suicide risk and provide support and help, the more lives can be saved.
The training is delivered to numerous groups across Newry & Mourne and have in recent times provided training to the Travelling Community in both South Down & South Armagh, to the Newry Rainbow Community (LGBT) People who have Mental Health Concerns, Groups who work with mental & physical abuse, Groups who works with older people and more.
It is our belief that the continued commitment of partners in delivering suicide prevention skills, to help those who are emotionally vulnerable or at risk will contribute towards reducing inequalities and prevent suicides in the Newry & Mourne area.
See the training section of our website for more information and to book on to one of these courses.
Campaigning for change
PIPS Hope & Support serves the whole southern region. The community is both urban & rural with an approximate population of 107,100
People in Rural areas experience considerable difficulties and hardship including reduced access to support services low employment in agriculture isolation & financial difficulties PIPS have been instrumental in highlighting the need to address the problems of suicide and self-harm IN BOTH Rural & Urban communities in a more strategic way. Having been involved in the development of the Protect Life Suicide Prevention Strategy (launched in October 2006) PIPS Hope & Support works towards achieving its goal.
PIPS Hope & Support will continue to campaign for the rights of the family to access help and support and to make sure that everything possible is done to reduce the high number of suicides. To highlight the issue of suicide, provide information and awareness to the wider community.
Additional information
- Suicide Statistics for the Northern Ireland, population approximately 1.9 million
- In 2009, 260 deaths were registered as suicides, with 205 being male and 55 being female (source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency).
- During the period 1999 to 2009, a total of 2,258 deaths were registered as suicide (source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency).
- The number of male suicides has increased steadily over recent years (during the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s). The female suicide rate has remained relatively constant over the same period.
- Protect Life: A Shared Vision is the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy & Action Plan (2006 – 2011).
Between the years 1999 - 2003:
- More males died as a result of suicide than in transport accidents
- More males died through suicide than as a result of either accidental falls or poisoning
- More females died as a result of suicide than in transport accidents but fewer died as a result of suicide than from other external causes and accidental falls
- Incidents of suicide were most common in those aged between 25 to 34 years