Suicide prevention and mental health groups received a £750,000 funding injection from the Department of Health last week.

The department has said the decision to release the funding was taken prior to Health Minister Michelle O’Neill making a phone call last Thursday to Emma Reilly, the Enniskillen lady who spoke out bravely after losing two sisters to suicide.

READ: Health Minister Michelle O'Neill makes attempts to contact greiving sister four weeks after heart rending letter sent about her sister’s suicide

The phone call was instigated by the Health Minister following an article in last Thursday’s Impartial Reporter revealing that Michelle O’Neill had not responded to a letter from Ms. Reilly in which she had pleaded with her to “make Mental Health and Suicide Prevention the top of your agenda.”

In response, the department said it had no record of receiving the correspondence and contacted this paper on Thursday seeking to make “urgent” contact with Ms. Reilly.

At mid-day the following day, Sinn Féin Assembly Candidate for Derry Elisha McCallion, released a statement saying: “I welcome this announcement from my party colleague and Health Minister of an additional £750,000 investment in suicide prevention and mental health programmes.”

Ms. McCallion said more than 60 groups across Northern Ireland will access the funding to address mental and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention, drugs and alcohol support services and support for vulnerable groups.

She concluded: “This investment will ensure that positive mental health programmes, which are community-based and delivered by local organisations remain a priority.”

READ: The tragic loss of two sisters to suicide

The Minister, who has recently been appointed Sinn Fein’s leader in Northern Ireland and is embroiled in an election campaign, did not officially announce the investment on the department’s website. 

Asked for official details of the investment, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: “The department has allocated an extra £750k to the community and voluntary sector to address specific health needs for mental and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention, drugs and alcohol support and support for vulnerable groups. 

“Work had been on-going for a number of weeks in relation to this funding package which preceded contact with Ms. Reilly.”