£520K boost for suicide prevention charity set up in memory of Tyrone teen

by Gráinne Connolly

A suicide prevention charity, which was set up following the death by of Tyrone girl Niamh Louise McKee, has been granted £520,000. 

The Niamh Louise Foundation provides support and intervention services to those affected by suicide and self-harm. 

It was formed after 15 year old Niamh took her own life in 2005. 

The money from the Big Lottery Fund will go towards the charity's 'Empowering Young Minds' project, which is a tailored care package to help those aged 8 to 25 who are in emotional distress. 

This includes helping young children to heal and recover if they've been affected by suicide, while developing life skills and building self-esteem and resilience. 

The scheme offers a facilitated eight-week interactive group programme exploring how the mind works and how emotions affect our daily living.

It involves the design of individual self-care plans for each young person, identifying their own emotional needs and coping mechanisms to reduce their emotional distress, and one-to-one therapy sessions supporting all participants on the programme to further aid their healing and recovery.

The funding will also enable the Niamh Louise Foundation, through Empowering Young Minds, to design and produce a Suicide Prevention First Aid Kit for other young people and the wider community.

Another key resource will be the publication of a storybook, developed by drawing on children's emotions and to be used as a lasting educational resource.

(Catherine McBennett and Raymond Gillespie from the Niamh Louise Foundation) 

Niamh’s mum, Catherine McBennett, stepfather James, and Anne Donaghy, now Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, co-founded the Foundation on the 2nd of February 2006 - what should have been Niamh’s 16th birthday.

Catherine said she was delighted with the announcement, which will further enhance Niamh's legacy through the charity's mission to save more lives throughout the region.

She added: "We would like to thank Big Lottery Fund for believing in the Foundation's Empowering Young Minds project.

"After monitoring the success of our pilot project over a three-year period, Big Lottery Fund saw the value of such a project even if it changed or saved one person's life.

"We do not receive government funding as we believe in helping every child and young person on their individual needs.

"So this money will keep this project running for next five years.

"It is also down to the generosity of the local community in rural Northern Ireland that keeps the other vital work of the charity running for individuals and families over the age of 25 at risk of suicide or bereaved by suicide.

"This Empowering Young Minds project is open to anyone working with children and young people age 8 to 25 who would like to learn more about mental health, self-harm and prevention of suicide." 

Co-founder and charity chair Anne Donaghy said: "Last year more than 300 people died by suicide in Northern Ireland, which is absolutely devastating.

"The prevalence of mental health issues is 25% higher here than any other region of the UK, however, our funding for mental health is significantly lower.

"I am honoured to be involved in the remarkable and inspirational work of the Niamh Louise Foundation, which provides often lifesaving intervention and support for those at risk of suicide and/or self-harm, and their families.

“It is a huge privilege to chair this incredible foundation, and I will be continuing the great work of my predecessors since the formation of the charity.

"The National Lottery investment is fantastic news for the Foundation and its Empowering Young Minds project aimed specifically at young people aged 8 to 25."

Julie Harrison, Big Lottery Fund Northern Ireland Chair, said: “We are looking forward to seeing the difference this project makes to young people by improving their mental health and wellbeing and helping them cope with the effects of self-harm and suicide.

"I want to say thanks to all the National Lottery players who have helped make this work possible.”