Frances Black (Independent)

I thank the witnesses for coming in to us. I will focus my first question on women's mental health. This may be for Ms Costello; I do not know. The latest women's health outcomes reports show that over the past few years suicide has been the second or third leading cause of female deaths: 12% in 2023, 13% in 2019 and 13% in 2015. The reports also highlight some really worrying trends, particularly for young girls, when it comes to the likelihood of experiencing depression, low self-esteem and so on. Has the institute carried out or considered carrying out any research on this, or is there an all-island approach to suicide prevention, in particular, and addressing the legacies of the trauma and the intergenerational harm, particularly from the conflict? Perhaps the witnesses might be able to share with us some insights on the impact, the socioeconomic pressures on mental health and the disparities North and South. I hope that is not out of their remit. I know we are talking about mental health here, but have they any views on that, or what is their thinking?