North Belfast mother pleads for help after son's suicide attempt

A north Belfast mother says she was left in the dark with nowhere to turn after her son attempted suicide.

The local family's world turned upside down after finding out their loved one was inches from death.

He was rushed to hospital unconscious a number of weeks ago and after a few hours in A and E, the man was then sent home with a leaflet in hand.

His mum who prefers not to be named told Q radio she was at a loss for what to do next.

"My family has already suffered a suicide, we know it is just total and utter devastation.

"We were pretty lucky in a way though that this time he didn't actually manage to take his own life" she said.

The local woman said her son should not have been sent home from hospital on the night he attempted suicide.

"We did not know where to go or who to turn to" she said.

The man's family took the full week off work to be there for him and offer support.

Telephone calls were made to him two days after the incident but his mum says he was not mentally fit to understand what was happening and who was calling.

An appointment was then made for him to attend a doctor's appointment one week after his suicide attempt.

The man's mother told Q radio news the psychiatrist at that stage had limited records of what happened.

"If I didn't speak with the doctor, she wouldn't have known why my son was there. It was a farce."

She is now calling for a radical shake up to include loved ones in a vulnerable person's care plan.

"It is really up to the families now and they need to be contacted as well as the victim because my son was not able to speak to anyone".

Philip McTaggart from Mindskills echos that call.

"There is more that needs to be done - not only to support the individual who is at risk but more information needs to be given to the family looking after a loved one.

"The whole family had to take a week off work as we move towards Christmas.

"The World Health Organisation says if an individual is in distress within a family home and they aren't given adequate support, within 6 months two other members of the family will also be affected." Philip said.

"There is no clear criteria on how to deal with this on the front line and it is just passed on. They are not trained in how to deal with people who have mental health issues.

"When a person comes in with a broken mind, they don't know what to do." he said.

 

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the Lifeline website at www.lifelinehelpline.info 

Alternatively, telephone the Samaritans free any time, from any phone on 116 123.