Suicide prevention – you can make a difference
Suicide is rare, but it does happen. The good news is that a chat can make a positive difference. Creating HOPE through action is the theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (Saturday 10 September).The advice from public health is that having a short conversation with another person can sometimes be enough to make the difference between life and death for them. There are more than 6000 deaths by suicide in the UK every year – an average of 16 per day. The advice from public health is that having a short conversation with another person can sometimes be enough to make the difference between life and death for them.This video (trigger warning – it is an emotional watch) from the Campaign Against Living Miserably is a thought-provoking insight into how suicidal doesn’t always look suicidal. Health and wellbeing pageIt can feel scary when taking care of someone who is considering taking their own life, but it doesn’t have to be. A wealth of support is available on the Suicide Prevention health and wellbeing page on Connect. As well as providing a step-by-step guide on how to help someone inside or outside of work if they display or admit to suicidal feelings, it provides a link to the free Zero Suicide Alliance training, a link for anyone who is having suicidal thoughts, and a reminder about the staff counselling service. Reach Out websiteAnother excellent resource is the Reach Out website, created by Dudley’s Suicide Prevention Partnership. This gives advice to anyone thinking about suicide, worried about someone, or affected by suicide.WebinarEveryone is also invited to attend a World Suicide Prevention Day webinar.Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is running the webinar from 10am – midday on Friday 9 September and everyone is welcome. It will be a community-focused suicide prevention event that hears from survivors of suicide, community and national experts on suicide prevention.Register on Eventbrite to book your space. Who to call in an emergencyIf you, or anyone you know is feeling suicidal:CALL 999 if you believe that a life is in danger and stay with the person until they are seen by a member of a mental health team CALL Black Country Mental Health Helpline 0800 008 6516 to talk to someone 24/7 or text them on 07860 025281CALL Samaritans 116 123 to talk to someone 24/7 Many...
Read More