The Suicide Awareness & Support Group is a community group supporting people contemplating suicide…read morewhich also aims to raise awareness about suicide and highlight the ways of preventing it. Its consensus is that talking about your feelings or talking about someone who has recently committed suicide can be a great help. They let people know that it is ok to cry or shout if this will aid your cause. People should accept offers of help. It is important to go out with your friends and don't feel guilty if you're enjoying life. It doesn't mean you've forgotten about the person or you care any less. I do not want to reduce these to figures, but in 2008 there were 218 male and 64 female deaths in Belfast from suicide. This is a ridiculously shocking number! SASG run a support group for men which meets on a Monday night from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. There's also an open support group meets on a Tuesday night from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. SASG also run workshops concerning preventation and concern; Preparing, Connecting, Understanding, Assisting and networking . These themes are covering and disucesseed thoroughly in order to assist suicide prevention. We need to do something about the helplessness these people feel before the rates get any higher. Call: 028 9023 9967 or for a 24hour helpline phone Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 Email: suicide_awareness@hotmail.co.uk

A group that does crucial work here in Belfast. In the last 10-12 years, the number of suicides in…read moreBelfast (particularly north and west) continues to rise at an alarming rate. This group offers support to the families and loved ones who've been bereaved by suicide, as well as offering counselling services to those who are suicidal. They do an excellent job, despite their huge workload. As is the norm for me when I'm reviewing groups of this nature, it gets three stars (see my NICAS review).