Alexandra Thompson, Grade 11
UWC Mostar
An issue that Northern Ireland continues to struggle with has once again come to light: three people have lost their lives due to suicide, sparking social media attention. Coming from Derry, a city located in the north-west of Ireland, has its challenges, even within the small statelet of Northern Ireland (Gillespie). The three bridges within the city are infamous for contributing to one of the largest and most noticeable issues: suicide.
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide per 100,000 people in the United Kingdom: 28 for males and 9.5 for women, according to the Belfast Telegraph (Simpson). In a place that was rife with sectarian violence for three decades, the remnants of the trauma linger. Yet, the issue is much more complex than just this factor.
The longest and bloodiest conflict of Northern Ireland’s history greatly defined the statelet, known as ‘The Troubles’; the thirty-year conflict between Catholics and Protestant killed thousands, and left hundreds of thousands traumatised, with no proper facilities to help recover. From this violence sprung high rates of depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and other severe mental illnesses (Fenton). In a study by the University of Ulster, it was recorded that Northern Ireland had the highest rates of PTSD in the world (“NI Has World’s Highest Rate of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”). Many were doped with Diazepam, often known as Valium, in order to dull the experiences, leading to abuse and dependency on this drug. However, whilst I am lucky to have been born shortly after the ceasefire, my generation has not escaped the throes of ‘The Troubles’.
My own parents have recounted their first-hand accounts of the horrors that occurred. Virtually everybody, from birth, is aware that there is still separation and sectarianism, and thus develops prejudice and biased attitudes. Despite the work that has gone into development and sustainable peace, the gap still greatly divides.
In terms of mental illness, there are grave issues that still need care and funding. For one, the genetic factor of trauma may be currently impacting the younger generation, much more than what most think. This phenomenon is also known as transgenerational trauma.
In a broader sense, general risk factors for suicide include drug or alcohol misuse, trauma, unemployment, social isolation, poverty, imprisonment, violence or family breakdown, as well as a family history of mental illness.
Derry- the second largest city in Northern Ireland and fourth on the island of Ireland- is infamous for having high rates of substance abuse and dependency, being in a region with lower funding than the remainder of Northern Ireland, higher rates of poverty and a lack of opportunities for young people. On top of this, it is no secret that globally the younger generation face increased pressure to achieve more than the previous generation. And, whilst social media can be a great way to connect, risks of cyberbullying, grooming and other forms of abuse are much more likely, and children are more predisposed to external stressors.
The stigma surrounding mental health issues is decreasing, but is still very much prominent and real, and it is our job to keep breaking this down. The oft-quoted statistic of “one in four people will at one stage be affected by a mental health condition at some point in their lives” is a stark reminder that we are not alone (Ginn and Horder).
Just as some of us are taught in school, First Aid is undoubtedly important; many lives are saved each year by intervention from non-medical workers due to basic first aid skills in panic situations. We know how to bandage a wound or do CPR, but not how to genuinely listen to others, or what to do if somebody is in distress.
One of the most important things that I have learned in recent times is how to stop trying to fix the problems of somebody going through a rough patch, and instead how to listen and ask the right questions. The extent of my knowledge originates from being in crisis situations with friends, and from social media pages. The difference that ‘Mental Health First Aid’ could provide would be exponentially beneficial to wider society, and also provide a great boost to our inner selves, thus decreasing the societal problem. We need proper, thorough, in-tune awareness raising of such issues through schools, community centres and other institutions. By creating and promoting services that support those in difficulty, raise awareness of these issues and what to do, and help to inform the public of better coping mechanisms, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those who struggle every day. Whilst this is not an issue that will suddenly disappear, we can reduce the stigma and create better infrastructure to deal with these issues.
One solution that was suggested was an installation named ‘Foyle Reeds’. This was created to mirror Toronto’s tactic- the colourful but obvious suicide prevention barrier of the ‘Luminous Veil’, that helped to prevent deaths from jumping off of the Bloor Street Viaduct. This viaduct held the record of the second-highest death rate in North America, behind only San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge (Mullan). The barrier contains a 450-metre long lighting system that gives the bridge a calming glow at night, which seems to have effectively reduced the number of suicides. Locally, the idea of a suicide barrier faced great backlash. In many of my discussions with friends, the common sentiment was that if one is so dedicated to travel to the bridge in order to carry out this act, barriers would not hinder or discourage the person’s intentions. It was often thought that funding would be better invested in mental health facilities, which the city remains to lack.
In another sense, I think that we, as people, need to do a lot of work. I have personally witnessed online bullying by individuals, who then proclaim themselves as mental health champions, and that we need to fix this issue. One of the factors that cause the declining rate of positive mental health is the same that can fix this issue: simply by fixing our own internalised biases, hypocrisies and contradictions, we can create better support networks and reduce stigma.
The future may look uncertain, but we must remain hopeful that time, dedication, awareness-raising and championing the cause of mental health will provide lasting, positive change. We must reach out to each other and encourage one another through life’s storms. Remember, you matter, and you are loved.
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide per 100,000 people in the United Kingdom: 28 for males and 9.5 for women, according to the Belfast Telegraph (Simpson). In a place that was rife with sectarian violence for three decades, the remnants of the trauma linger. Yet, the issue is much more complex than just this factor.
The longest and bloodiest conflict of Northern Ireland’s history greatly defined the statelet, known as ‘The Troubles’; the thirty-year conflict between Catholics and Protestant killed thousands, and left hundreds of thousands traumatised, with no proper facilities to help recover. From this violence sprung high rates of depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and other severe mental illnesses (Fenton). In a study by the University of Ulster, it was recorded that Northern Ireland had the highest rates of PTSD in the world (“NI Has World’s Highest Rate of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”). Many were doped with Diazepam, often known as Valium, in order to dull the experiences, leading to abuse and dependency on this drug. However, whilst I am lucky to have been born shortly after the ceasefire, my generation has not escaped the throes of ‘The Troubles’.
My own parents have recounted their first-hand accounts of the horrors that occurred. Virtually everybody, from birth, is aware that there is still separation and sectarianism, and thus develops prejudice and biased attitudes. Despite the work that has gone into development and sustainable peace, the gap still greatly divides.
In terms of mental illness, there are grave issues that still need care and funding. For one, the genetic factor of trauma may be currently impacting the younger generation, much more than what most think. This phenomenon is also known as transgenerational trauma.
In a broader sense, general risk factors for suicide include drug or alcohol misuse, trauma, unemployment, social isolation, poverty, imprisonment, violence or family breakdown, as well as a family history of mental illness.
Derry- the second largest city in Northern Ireland and fourth on the island of Ireland- is infamous for having high rates of substance abuse and dependency, being in a region with lower funding than the remainder of Northern Ireland, higher rates of poverty and a lack of opportunities for young people. On top of this, it is no secret that globally the younger generation face increased pressure to achieve more than the previous generation. And, whilst social media can be a great way to connect, risks of cyberbullying, grooming and other forms of abuse are much more likely, and children are more predisposed to external stressors.
The stigma surrounding mental health issues is decreasing, but is still very much prominent and real, and it is our job to keep breaking this down. The oft-quoted statistic of “one in four people will at one stage be affected by a mental health condition at some point in their lives” is a stark reminder that we are not alone (Ginn and Horder).
Just as some of us are taught in school, First Aid is undoubtedly important; many lives are saved each year by intervention from non-medical workers due to basic first aid skills in panic situations. We know how to bandage a wound or do CPR, but not how to genuinely listen to others, or what to do if somebody is in distress.
One of the most important things that I have learned in recent times is how to stop trying to fix the problems of somebody going through a rough patch, and instead how to listen and ask the right questions. The extent of my knowledge originates from being in crisis situations with friends, and from social media pages. The difference that ‘Mental Health First Aid’ could provide would be exponentially beneficial to wider society, and also provide a great boost to our inner selves, thus decreasing the societal problem. We need proper, thorough, in-tune awareness raising of such issues through schools, community centres and other institutions. By creating and promoting services that support those in difficulty, raise awareness of these issues and what to do, and help to inform the public of better coping mechanisms, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those who struggle every day. Whilst this is not an issue that will suddenly disappear, we can reduce the stigma and create better infrastructure to deal with these issues.
One solution that was suggested was an installation named ‘Foyle Reeds’. This was created to mirror Toronto’s tactic- the colourful but obvious suicide prevention barrier of the ‘Luminous Veil’, that helped to prevent deaths from jumping off of the Bloor Street Viaduct. This viaduct held the record of the second-highest death rate in North America, behind only San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge (Mullan). The barrier contains a 450-metre long lighting system that gives the bridge a calming glow at night, which seems to have effectively reduced the number of suicides. Locally, the idea of a suicide barrier faced great backlash. In many of my discussions with friends, the common sentiment was that if one is so dedicated to travel to the bridge in order to carry out this act, barriers would not hinder or discourage the person’s intentions. It was often thought that funding would be better invested in mental health facilities, which the city remains to lack.
In another sense, I think that we, as people, need to do a lot of work. I have personally witnessed online bullying by individuals, who then proclaim themselves as mental health champions, and that we need to fix this issue. One of the factors that cause the declining rate of positive mental health is the same that can fix this issue: simply by fixing our own internalised biases, hypocrisies and contradictions, we can create better support networks and reduce stigma.
The future may look uncertain, but we must remain hopeful that time, dedication, awareness-raising and championing the cause of mental health will provide lasting, positive change. We must reach out to each other and encourage one another through life’s storms. Remember, you matter, and you are loved.
Glossary
Statelet: A small state, especially one resulting from the dissolution of a larger state
Transgenerational Trauma: Also known as intergenerational trauma, this is trauma that is genetically passed down from one generation to another, where one generation may feel exposed to or react to trauma that the previous has faced, despite the former not being directly affected.
Bibliography:
www.dictionary.com
www.irishtimes.com/news/health/mental-health-problems-the-hidden-legacy-of-the-troubles-1.4005470#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPTSD%2C%20profuse%20anxiety%2C%20chronic,directly%20physically%20or%20psychologically%20injured.%E2%80%9D
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/northern-ireland-is-a-statelet-not-a-country-34667610.html
www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1302
www.derryjournal.com/news/foyle-reeds-improve-toronto-initiative-eliminated-suicides-576641
www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2011/december/ni-has-worlds-highest-rate-of-post-traumatic-stress-disorder
www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/03/05/news/suicide-rate-for-young-people-in-northern-ireland-more-than-twice-that-of-england-1858622
Statelet: A small state, especially one resulting from the dissolution of a larger state
Transgenerational Trauma: Also known as intergenerational trauma, this is trauma that is genetically passed down from one generation to another, where one generation may feel exposed to or react to trauma that the previous has faced, despite the former not being directly affected.
Bibliography:
www.dictionary.com
www.irishtimes.com/news/health/mental-health-problems-the-hidden-legacy-of-the-troubles-1.4005470#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPTSD%2C%20profuse%20anxiety%2C%20chronic,directly%20physically%20or%20psychologically%20injured.%E2%80%9D
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/northern-ireland-is-a-statelet-not-a-country-34667610.html
www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1302
www.derryjournal.com/news/foyle-reeds-improve-toronto-initiative-eliminated-suicides-576641
www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2011/december/ni-has-worlds-highest-rate-of-post-traumatic-stress-disorder
www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/03/05/news/suicide-rate-for-young-people-in-northern-ireland-more-than-twice-that-of-england-1858622
www.unitedworldwide.co