THERE ARE fears that the suicide rate in Fermanagh could be as high as four times the national average.
Going by government statistics indicating that there are roughly 11 suicides per 100,000 population in the UK, the county would expect to see around six suicides each year.
However, and although not all suicides are reported as such, it is thought that the real figure is multiples of the UK average. It is believed that at least six people have taken their own lives in the Fermanagh area in a ten-week period since Christmas.
In this week’s paper we can reveal that the local branch of the Samaritans are now handling over 30 calls every day and the charity is issuing an appeal for volunteers to help man its phones.
Enniskillen man Martin Rutherford, director of the Samaritans Omagh Branch, which serves Fermanagh and Tyrone has revealed the branch 12,000 calls for help last year, working out as an average of over 32 each day. In light of the growing problem in the local area Mr Rutherford has appealed for volunteers to commit to the cause.
“There is no particular time of year we notice a spike in demand, but nightime is busier,” he said. “We run a 24-hour service, and when the Omagh line isn’t manned the calls, which are all totally confidential, go through to another branch.”
“We currently have around 65 active volunteers from all over Fermanagh and Tyrone,” he said. “We’re not looking for people with any particular skills, just people who are open-minded and willing to listen. Our volunteers help talk people through their problems and help them move forward.”
Meanwhile, this Saturday at 10am as many people as possible are being urged to attend a suicide prevention talk in Belleek in March.
The event is organised by Erne Gaels GAA Club, whose health and well-being officer Ciara Hughes stressed it was open to anyone in the community.
“The wider variety of people who come, the more people we can reach in the community. It’s open to absolutely everyone,” she said.
“Suicide is still a very taboo subject,” said Ms Hughes, who advocates mindfulness. “Especially among young men, who are in the spotlight.
They often feel they have no where to go, and that they can’t talk about it. It’s not just young people, either. A lot of the elderly, for example, suffer from depression and isolation.”
For more information call Ciara on 686 58647.
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