Bereaved mum: 'Suicide is preventable'
Strabane women speaks out as we re-launch prevention campaign
A grieving mum whose son took his own life says she believes he could have been saved.
Hester Glenn spoke to us as we re-launch our prevention campaign Invest in Life, three years after we first highlighted the issue.
We kicked off the crusade in 2017 with a petition to get crisis-intervention hubs here.
In just a week we had over 30,000 signatures but with the lack of an Executive at Stormont, had no Health Minister to present it to.
Now, as the assembly is restored, bereaved mum Hester Glenn opens up to us again, in a bid to save lives:
"I think it's the worst thing could ever happen anyone because you have every emotion.
"You have guilt and everybody's just asking why, why, why?
"If I could speak to him now I would ask him why son, why did you do it?
"I'm hurting every day."
It comes as momentum grows across the province for urgent action.
A number of celebrities signed an open letter to the Health Minister in a bid to tackle the issue.
Robin Swann set up a working group and said it is a top priority.
In a statement the Minister said:"It is very important to hear at first-hand about the devastating impact of suicide and to learn of the services and support available.
"One of my very first meetings as Minister was with the Families Voices Forum.
"Their dignity and courage, the importance of the message of hope and the support they are providing right across Northern Ireland remains with me.
"As the Protect Life 2 Strategy recognises, we have much to learn from those with lived experience and it is right that those experiences continue to inform policy right across government and help shape the services we provide.
"I took the opportunity today to express my profound sympathies to the families on their loss and the pain they live with every day.
"I underlined that suicide prevention, mental well-being and mental health services are a top priority for me as Minister.
"I welcome support from Executive colleagues, as demonstrated by the formation of a new Executive working group on mental well-being, resilience and suicide prevention. We now need to translate that joint commitment into action."
Health chiefs are working to increase awareness and Mr Swann said good work is already being done to help people in crisis in two Trusts:
"As detailed in the New Decade New Approach agreement, a Mental Health Action Plan will be published, providing a foundation for a Mental Health Strategy before the end of 2020.
"Drug and alcohol misuse represents another serious public health concern, inter-related with suicide prevention and mental health. I am committed to bringing forward a new Drug and Alcohol Strategy in the near future.
"I also want to urgently examine the potential for significant expansion of the Multi Agency Triage Team partnership between the Health and Social Care sector, PSNI and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. This initiative currently provides on the spot mental health support to people who are in emotional crisis in the Belfast and South Eastern Trust areas."
But Hester told us we need to tackle the problem in the community and the public should be careful around the language used when discussing the issue.
The grieving mother asked anyone talking about not to use the phrase 'commit suicide:'
"Sometimes people are talking to me and they talk about committing suicide and it really does stick a knife into me.
"I think no, not 'commit' suicide, Jack didn't commit any crime."
Hester also told us she feels 'disgusted' by claims that £300,000 worth of funding earmarked for suicide prevention projects in the north west were unspent and returned to the government.
"That £300,000 being handed back that was absolutely disgusting...the anger I had about that.
"Even if it had have saved one person's life.
"I just thought to myself something needs done big time, those people could have had some help if something had've been done with that money."
We have contacted both the Department of Health and the Department of Finance for comment.
Health chiefs say suicide is preventable and you can access help and support here
If you or someone you know are in distress or despair call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000
Or Samaritans on 116 123