A Belfast academic has called for a dedicated commissioner to support those bereaved by suicide.

Dr Philip O'Keeffe, 85, a former Queen's University lecturer and trained counsellor, made the call following the launch of his book analysing suicide in Northern Ireland.

Dr O'Keeffe lost two younger brothers to suicide, one in 1982 and another in 1989. He said both inquests were difficult and that he remains affected by the losses decades later.

His book examines suicide rates in Northern Ireland, citing NISRA figures of 221 deaths in 2023 and 290 in 2024. He links the issue to factors including poverty, cost of living pressures, and areas of social deprivation.

Dr O'Keeffe said suicide should be treated as a political issue requiring government action rather than relying solely on charities.

He also called for better public education on suicide and suggested that more teaching on the subject is needed.

The book, titled 'Analysing Suicide: Reality Myth Fallacy', is available on Amazon.