Helplines have been inundated by anxious parents following the multiple deaths which have left the community in anguish.
Alarmingly, there have been several further cases of suicide in the Dungannon district this month involving both male and female adults.
Although none of the deaths are thought to be linked, the spate of suicides has led to calls for more discussion about why people take their own lives.
Catherine McBennett formed the Niamh Louise Foundation in her young daughter's memory and said yesterday she was deeply concerned by the recent deaths.
"I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families who are burying their children this week", she said.
"It broke my heart to hear about these tragedies. More definitely needs to be done and when something like this happens you always think about what else can be done."
She claimed that everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide, including parents, teachers, friends, the business community and local representatives.

Vigilant

"An appeal like this is everyone's business. People have to look at the reality of what is happening and work together to be more aware of suicidal thoughts.
"It is a myth to believe that asking someone if they are suicidal might prompt them into that course of action.
"We all have to get into the habit of asking people about their emotional well-being."
She also offered a beacon of hope to those dealing with suicidal feelings.
"Our charity has helped people come through such difficult times. It might be a long journey but there is a brighter future waiting there.
"It's important to remember that there is a lot of support and help available from medication to counselling and alternative therapies.
"The majority of the time a person with suicidal feelings can be treated in their own homes supported by family and friends."
She also called for more resources to be made available to schools and the local community to tackle the problem of suicide and de-stigmatise the shame around having suicidal thoughts.
She advised worried relatives or people dealing with suicidal thoughts to seek help from their GPs, or to drop in to the Niamh Louise Foundation centre at 7 George Street, Dungannon.
Alternatively the charity can be contacted by telephone on 02887726217 or on its internet site www.niamhlouisefoundation.com.Ms Bennett's plea came as a new report claimed that Dungannon had one of the lowest rates of suicide in the whole of Ireland.

Deeply concerned

According to figures provided by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, the borough, along with Moyle and Coleraine had the three lowest rates.
Elsewhere Offaly, along with Cork and Leitrim, has the highest rates, reflecting the greater prevalence of suicide south of the border.
Whatever the true figures, Catherine says they can not reflect the hurt and devastation for the families who are left traumatised by the loss of a loved one.
"I cannot comment on those figures because I haven't seen them and I don't know what research they are based on," she added.
"What I can say is that more still needs to be done to tackle suicide, particularly in rural areas where the stigma is still high.
"Comments that Dungannon has one of the lowest rates is just like covering up what is actually happening.
"In the last three or four months 12 people have taken their own lives. That suggests the figure here is actually much higher that people think."
Anyone with suicidal thoughts can contact the Suicide helpline on 0808 808 8000 or the Samaritans on 08457 909 090.

WARNING SIGNS

• A previous attempt.


• Expressing suicidal thoughts, depression.


• Isolation.


• Drug and alcohol abuse.


• Sudden changes in mood or behaviour.


• Making final arrangements.


• Lack of self-care, not washing, no interest in appearance.


RISK FACTORS



• A history of abuse, physical, emotional or sexual.


• Isolation.


• Financial difficulties.


• A terminal illness.


• Relationship break-ups.


• Bereavement.


• A previous suicide attempt.


• A history of suicide in the family.


• Easy access to means, example firearms.


• A history of psychiatric illness, particularly severe depression.


• History of personality or behaviour disorder.


• Drug or alcohol abuse.


WHO IS AT RISK?



• Males complete suicide more often than females. However, females attempt suicide three times more often than men.


• Females tend to choose less immediate and more reversible methods than males.


• Minority ethnic groups.


• Elderly people.


• Young people. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24.


• Drug and alcohol abusers.


• Mentally ill people.


• Suicide can strike anyone!