Press Releases
Church leaders discuss suicide with Assembly Health Committee
The leaders of the four main churches in Northern Ireland met with the Assembly Health Committee today, Thursday 7 February.
The leaders, Presbyterian Moderator Dr John Finlay, Methodist President Rev Roy Cooper, Archbishop Alan Harper and Bishop Patrick Walsh representing Cardinal Brady gave oral evidence to the Committee as part of its inquiry into the prevention of suicide and self harm in Northern Ireland. They were accompanied by Mr Lindsay Conway, the Presbyterian Church's Director of Social Service, Rev John McClure from the Church of Ireland and Dr Oliver Woods from the Roman Catholic Church.
The Church Leaders told the Committee that churches have a clear role in the managing of this major social problem. They said: "We are still dealing with the 'aftermath' long after the statutory services are gone. Likewise we are committed to reducing the risks by offering a listening ear and a safe place to discuss problems."
The leaders also explained how increasingly their churches are networking with local community groups on this issue. They pointed to the particular role of churches to demonstrate the love and compassion of God. This support begins with the first contact with the family, the funeral service and in many cases will continue for months and years.
The leaders also referred to the churches' first hand experience of dealing with a wide range of mental health issues. They said: "Often ministers are dealing with members who are depressed or suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. An increasing number of ministers have dealt with a member who has taken their own life, one minister in a rural area has dealt with four in one year.
They said: "Experience from pastoral care is clearly indicating that today people are not coping in the same way as previous generations. It is not unusual to hear a young person say 'I can cope no more - life is not worth living.' Normal life situations can now cause major emotional problems to individuals of all ages."
The leaders also told the Committee of their ongoing discussions to set up appropriate training programmes for new ministers, serving ministers and lay people.
For further comment contact:
Rev John McClure tel - 078 4186 6414
Mr Lindsay Conway tel - 078 0142 9306
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services
Stephen Lynas
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