CALLS have been made for politicians, churches and the community to come together after seven people took their own lives in the area in the last 10 days.
The Survivors of Suicide Support Group said the stigma surrounding the issue meant it was being under-reported.
The group’s Claire Curran, who made the call, said east Belfast had had an issue with suicide for a long time.
“People in east Belfast don’t tend to talk about suicide, they don’t make a noise, they don’t shout, because of the stigma that’s attached,” Ms Curran said.
She said communities in north and west Belfast had been been able to put their case for help across much more forcefully.
“We don’t get the same support in east Belfast, or south Belfast, from the politicians, MLAs or churches that they do in north and west,” she said.