A&E ‘chill out’ room could help cut suicide rates
A more robust approach to preventing suicide and self-harm could include introducing “chill out” rooms and a “card before you leave” system in A&E departments for people at risk of suicide or self-harm.
That’s among the recommendations in Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Health, Social Services & Public Safety’s Report on the Inquiry into Suicide and Self-Harm.
The number of suicides in Northern Ireland has risen sharply in recent years from an average of 150 a year between 1999 and 2004 to almost double - 291 in 2006.
Currently, some 195 people take their own life each year while a further 4,500 are admitted to hospital having attempted suicide or inflicted serious injury from deliberate self-harm.
The committee concluded that existing structures should be strengthened by establishing a designated suicide prevention directorate. They also want funding to implement the strategy ring-fenced to enable community groups to concentrate on providing their services.
Download the report together with the minutes of proceedings and minutes of evidence (892KB).