The second in a series that invites close, unhurried listening to the stories of individuals.

Philip lives in the shadow of his son's suicide. Also called Philip - and nicknamed Pip - he was just 17 when he died. His father's response, in 2003, was to set up the Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm, or PIPS for short. In this edition of Listening Post, we hear how the trauma of Pip's suicide led Philip to an awareness of the alarming rates of suicide and self-harm among young people in Northern Ireland. In the unique environment of post-Troubles Belfast he founded an organisation that attempts to prevent the same fate affecting others. Visiting PIPS initiatives in the community and suicide awareness training days, the programme reveals Philip's philosophy and shares his personal story.

Press

"The Listening Post describes itself as inviting "close, unhurried listening to the stories of individuals". You might think that lots of radio does this, but it's only when you hear the intense, bespoke production - by Alan Hall at Falling Tree - that you realise how most stories are prised out through interview formats, or edited down to their core.

These programmes are different. They let the tales seep out into a more fluid portrait, and are beautifully composed. Yesterday's featured Philip McTaggart from Belfast, who set about campaigning for the prevention of suicide after his son took his own life in 2003. It was full of poignant moments, as McTaggart spoke about growing up in the Troubles ("at the top of the street where I lived, all the houses were on fire") and the far greater challenge of living in the shadow of his son's suicide.

His story was quietly punctuated by Irish music at key turning points, and the buzz of his phone as calls came in about depressed or suicidal people who needed help. But there was no music, or calls, when he went back to the remote spot where his son Philip died. Noting the fierce gush of wind there, he said quietly: "That was the last thing he was listening to. Really sad.""

Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian, 29.07.10