Newcastle Leisure Centre was the venue for the latest Down Policing and Community Partnership (PCSP) public meeting held to encourage community conversation about suicide prevention and the services that exist to support people affected by suicide or attempted suicide.
Those who attended had the opportunity to listen to presentations from representatives from the SEELB Youth Service, PSNI, PiPs Newcastle, Contact NI and the South Eastern health and Social Services Trust.
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Members of the Down PCSP with guest speakers at the Newcastle meeting.[/caption]
Speaking about the event, Chairperson of Down PCSP Cllr William Dick said: Down Policing and Community Safety partnership remains committed to highlighting issues that impact on the equality of life for the people in the District. Tonight we are focusing in one key issue and that is suicide and the impact of it on families and the wider community. We want the community to know there are channels of support available. Often the problem for communities is that they do not know who to turn to or what organisation or group to support in times of crisis.
“The purpose of the meeting was to communicate this information – to highlight just some of the services available to local people. In addition, the PCSP Â are keen to demonstrate the partnership approach to dealing with complex and emotive issues such as suicide prevention.
“Each of the organisations presenting at the meeting are either members of the PCSP or have worked closely with us in the past in task groups. There is a common acknowledgment that working in partnership can dramatically increase the impact we have. No one body can solve or eradicate issues in isolation and despite sometimes differences in approach, funding or ethos, we can still combine our efforts and work towards a common goal for the benefit of the whole and wider community.
“I would like to commend everyone who has taken time to be here this evening. May I on behalf of the PCSP extend every best wish as we journey in partnership and deal with the issue of suicide and suicide prevention,” Â added Cllr Dick.
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