Ahead of annual fundraising event Darkness Into Light a local mental health charity has told of the importance of having “open and accessible” mental health services across the north.
PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland provides counselling services and crisis support to members of the community who have experienced suicidal ideation, self-harm or who have lost loved ones through suicide.
It is also one of the only suicide prevention organisations which offer an open-door service with no appointment needed.
Speaking to The Irish News, executive director of the charity Renee Quinn said this is vital resource given the North’s current problem surrounding mental health.
“We know that suicide is preventable, there’s absolutely no doubt about that, but you need to have open and accessible services so that whenever people are struggling, they can reach out effectively and get the help and support they need it when they need it,” she explains.
“And it is effective and it is needed – on average we are getting around 20 crisis walk in clients and 25-30 crisis telephone calls a month.
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“Mental health is a huge problem here; we are losing over 220 people per year to suicide in Northern Ireland.
“Compare that to road traffic accidents which are averaging around 70 to 80 deaths per year and look at the investment and awareness raising of road safety.
“There’s nowhere near that level of investment put into over 200 to 300 deaths a year to suicide which should be just as big a concern.”
In order to run their open-door service effectively, Ms Quinn says that PIPS is not currently in receipt of any government funding.
“Not receiving funds from the government allows us to operate that very unique, flexible model to suit what we know works best for the community.
“And don’t get me wrong it’s difficult, you’re worrying every month about whether you’re going to make pay roll and be able to keep the organisation open and afloat, but I know it works, I know the community value what we do and that’s how I know we’re doing the right thing.”
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She explains that this is one of the key reasons why Darkness Into Light, which supports several local mental health charities, is such a “vital initiative” for organisations like PIPS.
“Because charities like ourselves are not government funded we rely entirely on donations from the general public so it’s a huge fundraising event for us,” she says.
“But not only that it’s also an awareness raising event where we can come together to show support to the community and show people that are struggling that they’re not alone.”
Organised by suicide prevention organisation Pieta and supported by Electric Ireland, this year’s event will take place as the sun rises on Saturday, May 10.
The initiative will see thousands of participants gather at the 10 official walks across Northern Ireland.
“Last year we saw roughly 2,000 come out to the Ormeau Road Park and I think that really helped break the stigma around the issue of suicide and self-harm and it helped souls who are grieving to see that there are people out there who care that are compassionate around the issue.”
“And it really weaves a safety net for people who are struggling.”
In addition to raising money and awareness Ms Quinn says the event also helps the charity in their aim to create a “society free from suicide.”
“Our main vision as an organisation is to strive towards a compassionate society free from suicide, but we can only do that if we all come together,” she explains.
“No one organisation can solve this problem. We have to do it as a community, and to me, this Darkness Into Light event really galvanizes that community spirit and that community ethos.
“So it goes beyond just fundraising – that’s secondary nearly to all of the other huge societal positives that it brings.”
Looking ahead, she hopes that initiatives like Darkness into Light will encourage others to have “more open conversations” about mental health.
“There’s fear amongst the public about discussing mental health and I know the mantra is to ask ‘are you ok?’ and ask twice but we would always advise going one step further and asking, ‘are you feeling suicidal?’,” she explains.
“You need to use those words because that puts a name to it and takes the stigma away. It also allows that person to know that you’re open to that conversation around the struggles they’re facing.
“There’s no magic right or wrong thing to say or do but the intervention can be enough to prevent them from going on to take their own life.
“Because research does tell us that people who are on their way to take their own life are usually looking for signs not to do it, they just need to have a compassionate face staring back at them.
“You just need to show interest and compassion, it’s a small thing but it can have a huge impact.”
All money raised in Northern Ireland will be divided equally between the seven Darkness into Light partner charities.
If you or someone you know needs confidential emotional support, you can contact Pieta using their confidential free phone number By calling 1800 247 247 or texting ‘HELP’ to 51444 (standard text msg rates apply).