To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of the levels of suicide in young males; and (ii) to detail the action he is taking to address this.

Every death by suicide is a tragedy. In every year since 2001, more than 70% of suicide deaths have been male. In 2022, suicide deaths were highest for men between the ages of 40 and 44. Rates have also been high in recent years for males aged between 25-29. Suicide remains the leading cause of death in males under 50.

There are a wide variety of suicide prevention services available to men and this would include Lifeline, Self Harm Intervention Programme, Flourish! Churches programme, training, Psychological First Aid and Stress Control classes, and The Rainbow Project which provides support for the mental and emotional well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Northern Ireland.

Health and Social Care Trusts also provide MANifest men’s mental health training across the region. A wide range of programmes are also funded on a short term basis in local areas that have a focus on men including resilience building, mental health promotion through sport, men's shed, allotment and horticulture programmes.