We're encouraging members in Northern Ireland to take part in a new inquiry to help inform cross-departmental funding for suicide prevention.
We joined colleagues, partners and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Stormont this week for the launch of the inquiry run by the All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention.
The inquiry will look at funding for voluntary and community services in Northern Ireland and is now accepting written evidence through a survey.
We'll be responding to the inquiry to support calls to take a percentage of funding from each department to create a protected fund for mental health that will pay for early intervention support, such as counselling and psychotherapy, in the heart of Northern Ireland聽 communities.
Have your voice heard
We鈥檙e also encouraging voluntary and community counselling organisations and 麻豆原创 members across Northern Ireland to take part and have their voices heard.
Steve Mulligan, our Four Nations Lead said: "With 290 deaths by suicide registered in Northern Ireland in 2024, this Inquiry really matters.
"It provides a crucial opportunity to ensure that policy and funding decisions are shaped by real lives, real communities, and real evidence.
"It鈥檚 particularly important to ensure that the voices of counsellors and counselling services, who play such a vital role in the heart of communities across Northern Ireland, are heard as part of this important inquiry.
"Please take part in the survey. Your insight could help save lives."
The survey is open until 27 February 2026, and respondents can also indicate if they鈥檙e willing to provide oral evidence or host an evidence session with MLAs.