THERE have been calls for young people to be involved in decision-making on mental health services amid increasing concern about suicides.
An "emergency meeting" was held in Belfast yesterday to discuss a recent spike in deaths in the city.
The Northern Ireland Youth Forum organised the discussions in a bid to highlight what it called a "teenage suicide crisis".
Several MLAs as well as people affected by mental ill health, suicide and self-harm attended the meeting, including Colette Cole, whose son Deaglan (22) died last month following a battle with drug addiction.
Youth workers told of difficulties for young people accessing mental health services, with one telling how a young person had told her: "They say it's ok not to be ok, but nobody listens when you aren't."
Seamus Mullen of the Public Health Agency said it was important for young people to be involved in decision-making on services.
"There are a range of services that young people don't know how to access," he said.
"We need to try to find new ways of getting the message out there, given that peer engagement is really important - young people talking to other young people about the services that are available."
Meanwhile, a new facility for people suffering with mental health and drug abuse issues opened in north Belfast yesterday.
In a joint venture by Raymond McCord and Michael Opie of Olympus Gym, an office and gym facilities were unveiled for use by the community.
Mr McCord said the office, at the corner of Hillview Road and Oldpark Road, would offer suicide and drug awareness counselling, legal advice and employment courses for young people.
He said the space was "badly needed and will also be a place for those impacted by suicide or deaths by drug abuse".
