Northern Ireland's sport minister Carál Ní Chuilín has called on sports organisations to play their part in promoting positive mental health and to help combat suicide.

Chuilín made her plea during the launch of the Suicide Awareness Through Sport campaign which she has asked Sport Northern Ireland to take forward.

She said: "I'm very eager to ensure that the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and the agencies with which it works play their full part in supporting wider government initiatives aimed at promoting mental wellbeing and, in particular, helping to combat the very serious problem of suicide and self-harm in many areas of the north."

The minister also advised that, as part of a separate initiative, she is working with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Public Health Agency and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to identify ways in which sport and other culture, arts and leisure activities can be utilised in addressing well-being and mental health issues in rural areas.

To read Chuilín's comment in full, click here.