Thursday is World Suicide Prevention Day. We look at the stories behind the statistics

THE Lifeline crisis hotline is available around the clock to deal with the 5,000+ phone calls it receives every month.

It is a “life span” service so people of any age from across the north, who are in crisis or despair, or their loved ones, are welcome to call the professional team of counsellors at any time.

Belfast Media Group spoke to Lifeline service manager Harry Miller and Lifeline crisis counsellor Darren Crossey from their office in North Belfast ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day today, Thursday.

Lifeline, which the Public Health Agency funds, provides crisis support to people of every age, gender, race, religion, disability and sexual orientation in a “compassionate and non-judgemental” way, Harry said.

Darren talked about the range of people from across socio-economic groups who need crisis support, the need for clear risk assessing, working with other organisations, and providing the emotional support people may need in the moment.

He said: “It is a lot of crisis at any time of the day. It could be emotional support in a sense someone could be isolated or alone or someone could be extremely high risk. It goes right across the board.”

A lot people don’t realise if they are with someone in crisis that they can call Lifeline.
If you are a friend or family member, and are with someone in crisis, you can call Lifeline and ask for assistance either as an intermediary or pass the phone over.

Harry said Lifeline is a “demand-led, wrap-around” service which also liaises with health trusts, mental health professionals, emergency services, GPs, key workers, or family members, based on someone’s needs after a crisis call has been made to them or a community mental health team referral.

Issues are often “multifactorial” so could relate to mental health, poverty, relationship breakdown, adverse childhood experiences, trauma, capacity to talk about your feelings, and more.

A range of organisations exist to help people.

Lifeline crisis response helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 808 8000 or signed video app for people with hearing impairments. 
 
More information is available at https://www.lifelinehelpline.info