2 February 2026
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said the Executive is failing to take suicide prevention seriously, accusing it of neglecting its responsibilities in the face of a deepening mental health crisis.
It follows confirmation that the Executive Working Group for Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention has met just once over a two-year period.
Speaking after raising the matter with the deputy First Minister during Assembly question time, Mr Durkan said:
“This is wholly unacceptable and represents just one of many failures of this Executive when it comes to suicide prevention. It has presided over years of disinvestment in the Mental Health Strategy and Suicide Prevention Strategy. We have also witnessed vital support services, particularly within Foyle, stripped of funding. Even more cuts are looming for the sector through the Local Growth Fund, and as Ministers await word from the UK Government they seemingly have no Plan B in place if this funding isn’t forthcoming.
“The number of registered deaths by suicide rose last year to 290 deaths. That’s a 31% increase. Behind every one of those deaths is a family completely shattered by the loss of their loved one. And yet, despite this devastating picture, there has been no sense of urgency or collective action from the Executive. Suicide prevention is not even mentioned in the Programme for Government.
"This so called ‘working group’ of Ministers has met only was once in the last two years. That is simply not good enough. The Executive has promised to do what matters most, yet we’ve yet to see meaningful action on what matters most to our communities. Nothing matters more than protecting lives.”