“Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK. Male and female. Every year many thousands more attempt or contemplate suicide, harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling.” PAPYRUS 2022
Kate Heneghan, who lives in Brecon, has been Head in Wales of the charity PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide – since 2019. I recently met up with Kate online to find out more about her work with the charity. What drew you to your role at PAPYRUS?
Well… I suppose, until suicide touches you in some way, you don’t really think about it. That’s the truth. A few things happened within a short space of time in my personal life, culminating in a close family member losing her 28-year-old son to suicide and suddenly it became real for me. Seeing the impact of such a tragic young death on family and friends, on a whole community really, was so very upsetting. We looked for a suicide prevention charity to fundraise for and came across PAPYRUS. This was the first time I had heard of the charity. Sadly, this is what we hear many people say. It’s not until after a young death by suicide that they find us. We want to change that. We want to reach people when they are struggling…. when we can help the most.
Following our fundraising for PAPYRUS I followed them on social media and when they advertised for a Head in Wales, I was looking for a change in career from many years at Public Health Wales and the rest is history!
Tell us briefly about PAPYRUS and the three key principles that underpin the organisation
The charity was originally set up in 1997 by a group of parents who tragically had lost children to suicide. They were passionate about prevention and wanted to bring hope, something positive from their tragic loss.
At PAPYRUS we SUPPORT, EQUIP and INFLUENCE.
We support through our helpline HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141.
We equip through our awareness raising sessions, suicide prevention training and a range of resources.
We influence in a variety of ways – through local, regional and national policy e.g. we campaigned hard for a change in the law around how coroners reach a conclusion of suicide at inquest from the criminal standard of proof to the civil standard. We have developed a range of hard-hitting campaigns like Spot the Signs and we influence at grass roots level too – like this interview!
The last two years have been challenging for everyone. What has that meant for the demand on your services in Wales?
You’re right. It has been challenging for everyone but sadly young people have been disproportionately impacted. This has led to an increased demand for our helpline services. We have also seen an increase in demand for our suicide prevention training, mostly online.
We have trained many people who work in frontline services who have direct contact with children, young people or young adults on how best to support young people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. For a range of reasons during the pandemic young people have presented at these services closer to crisis point than was the case pre-pandemic often leaving staff at a loss on how to cope.
We are often asked what is the best way to help a young person who is self-harming?
This can be incredibly hard, especially for parents. Whatever your relationship to the young person, whether parent, teacher, youth worker etc. the key things are to try and remain calm, non-judgmental and understanding. Try not to show in your face what you are feeling, and listening to that young person is crucial. It’s not about asking “what have you done to yourself?” it’s more about establishing what is going on for the young person that has led to this “I’m thinking maybe things are difficult for you at the moment? …."
If you think a young person is having thoughts of suicide, what can you do?
The key thing is to establish whether they are having thoughts of suicide and to get them help. We recognise that asking a young person ‘Are you having thoughts of suicide?’ is not an easy thing to do. To be honest that’s why we deliver suicide prevention training, to help people understand why it’s important to do this and how to do it.
People fear they will put the idea into someone’s head but research shows that is not the case. It’s not easy for a parent – the child may lie. But if you are still thinking that is what’s going on then get help. Go to the GP or get them to A&E.
Our leaflet - Supporting your child: Self harm and Suicide - came about because parents who had lost their 15 year old son to suicide said that in all their many visits to A&E, the GP and pharmacies they never once saw a leaflet about suicide. Diabetes, heart disease, asthma – yes, but nothing on suicide. We added self-harm after consulting with a group of parents pre-publication. They told us they wouldn’t pick up a leaflet about suicide, but they would if it said suicide and self-harm.
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| Emma Webb raised £10K for Papyrus on a fundraising walk in memory of her 16 year old daughter Brodie |
How does the Papyrus helpline HOPELINEUK provide a lifeline?
It’s there for any young person under 35 years, experiencing thoughts of suicide. We can work with the young person on creating a safety plan and also signpost them to other support. We are also there for anyone including parents, siblings, students in halls, professionals, youth workers, nurses, GPs and teachers who may be concerned about a young person.
We offer a debrief service – that’s for anyone who’s had an encounter with suicide. It might be a fire fighter and they’ve had to attend a suicide, or someone who works for an undertaker. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone about what went on for you. Sometimes it’s a caller who has had a conversation with a young person and wonders if they said the right thing.
What are some of the key themes coming out of the HOPELINEUK conversations for young people in Wales?
The same things affect young people right across the UK to be honest – relationship breakdowns, anxiety, depression, abuse, family issues, isolation and loneliness, witnessing domestic violence and self-harm.
We’ve supported people with more complex mental health needs during lockdown. So much support went online – there was anxiety about what was happening and what would happen next. And it became difficult to find privacy at home to talk during the pandemic so we introduced web chat. There was a lot of anxiety about returning to school and college too.
Our leaflets are based on what we hear people saying to us.
Tell us more about the training you provide to organisations
Basically, we have a tiered approach to training. We have a 30 minute awareness raising session available free to any organisation, large or small. We have a 90 minute and a half-day suicide prevention training and we also deliver the 2 day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention & Skills) training. All but ASIST can be delivered electronically.
Are there any suicide prevention projects in Mid Wales you can tell us about?
Thanks to funding from the Powys Healthy Schools’ scheme we delivered suicide prevention training online to Powys High schools last Summer. Feedback was really positive.
How can we raise awareness and reduce stigma about self-harm and other risk factors for suicide in young people?
Stigma kills there’s no doubt about that. It is responsible for many deaths as it stops us (society) talking about self-harm, suicide and mental health too.
Talking about suicide is the only way to challenge stigma and we know that talking openly and sensitively about it encourages young people to seek help.
It’s a bit of a cliché but I think we could all be a little kinder to one another. Listen to what young people have to say, let them talk about what is troubling them right now. Often, we want to jump in and fix things but if we make a conscious effort to keep quiet and really listen, it can help enormously.
Do PAPYRUS provide support to people who have lost a young person due to suicide?
We were founded by parents who had lost children to suicide. Many of our trustees have lost children or a loved one to suicide. We believe those bereaved by suicide have a unique contribution to make to suicide prevention, we are here to listen. To hear their story and to learn from it. Many of our volunteers have been bereaved by suicide, they say it helps with their grieving, some say it was what kept them going.
Last year we welcomed a new Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Coordinator to Powys – Jan Roberts. How does PAPYRUS link into this work?
Powys Teaching Health Board is the only health board in Wales to have this post. I think it is really progressive. I have had long chats with Jan - she is doing great work! I have contributed to Jan’s work on the bereavement pathway and some of her work with Primary Care. I’m sure there will be more collaboration in the future and I’m looking forward to it.
I’ve also spoken to a town council in Powys about creating a suicide safer community. I’d like to see more opportunities to work in this way. Jan…are you listening?
What is HOPEWALK and will it be happening again in 2022?
HOPEWALK is an opportunity for people who have experienced suicide ideation, or have lost someone to suicide, to come together and learn from each other / be there for each other. They’ve been hugely popular and there are loads happening across Wales. We promote them for October every year and you can sign up for a fundraising pack of goodies etc. Often, they are a fundraiser in memory of someone who died by suicide. Emma Webb from Newport recently did one in memory of her daughter Brodie who tragically died aged 16, just before lock down. Emma raised over £10k for us.
You may have seen 3 Dads Walking on Breakfast TV before Xmas. Sadly, they each lost a daughter to suicide and did a HOPEWALK for PAPYRUS, in their memory. There is no doubt that the publicity that Emma and the 3 Dads received helped; those bereaved by suicide, to talk about their loss; worried parents to phone our helpline and young people who are struggling to reach out.
What are the main challenges working in this field?
Every time I hear of a young suicide in Wales I think – did they know about us? This makes me work harder, it encourages me to get out there and increase our reach so more young people know where to access support.
Put the helpline number in your phone now – you never know when you might need it: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141.
Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at PAPYRUS
Hearing that we are making a difference. Attending an event and having a parent come up to you and say they have phoned us and received really helpful advice. Talking to a Head Teacher who says our support has been invaluable. Reading feedback from a young person who has accessed our helpline and says
"When I phoned you I really was planning on ending my life tonight but now I’m not. You have really made me feel better, I have not been able to talk to anyone like this before, thank you so much”.
How do you like spending your time when you’re not working?
I love walking my dog – no excuse living in Powys! I love traipsing around shops in our small towns and meeting friends and family for coffee, cake and a chinwag!
Many thanks to Kate for telling us all about her role at PAPYRUS. If you want to find out more you can contact Kate by emailing Kate.Heneghan@papyrus-uk.org.
If you are a young person thinking about suicide, or concerned for a young person, you can call The PAPYRUS helpline HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039 967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org 9am – midnight every day of the year (weekends and Bank Holidays included).
For more information about PAPYRUS and their resources and training offer check out the PAPYRUS website
It’s there for any young person under 35 years, experiencing thoughts of suicide. We can work with the young person on creating a safety plan and also signpost them to other support. We are also there for anyone including parents, siblings, students in halls, professionals, youth workers, nurses, GPs and teachers who may be concerned about a young person.
We offer a debrief service – that’s for anyone who’s had an encounter with suicide. It might be a fire fighter and they’ve had to attend a suicide, or someone who works for an undertaker. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone about what went on for you. Sometimes it’s a caller who has had a conversation with a young person and wonders if they said the right thing.
What are some of the key themes coming out of the HOPELINEUK conversations for young people in Wales?
The same things affect young people right across the UK to be honest – relationship breakdowns, anxiety, depression, abuse, family issues, isolation and loneliness, witnessing domestic violence and self-harm.
We’ve supported people with more complex mental health needs during lockdown. So much support went online – there was anxiety about what was happening and what would happen next. And it became difficult to find privacy at home to talk during the pandemic so we introduced web chat. There was a lot of anxiety about returning to school and college too.
Our leaflets are based on what we hear people saying to us.
Tell us more about the training you provide to organisations
Basically, we have a tiered approach to training. We have a 30 minute awareness raising session available free to any organisation, large or small. We have a 90 minute and a half-day suicide prevention training and we also deliver the 2 day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention & Skills) training. All but ASIST can be delivered electronically.
Thanks to funding from the Powys Healthy Schools’ scheme we delivered suicide prevention training online to Powys High schools last Summer. Feedback was really positive.
How can we raise awareness and reduce stigma about self-harm and other risk factors for suicide in young people?
Stigma kills there’s no doubt about that. It is responsible for many deaths as it stops us (society) talking about self-harm, suicide and mental health too.
Talking about suicide is the only way to challenge stigma and we know that talking openly and sensitively about it encourages young people to seek help.
It’s a bit of a cliché but I think we could all be a little kinder to one another. Listen to what young people have to say, let them talk about what is troubling them right now. Often, we want to jump in and fix things but if we make a conscious effort to keep quiet and really listen, it can help enormously.
Do PAPYRUS provide support to people who have lost a young person due to suicide?
We were founded by parents who had lost children to suicide. Many of our trustees have lost children or a loved one to suicide. We believe those bereaved by suicide have a unique contribution to make to suicide prevention, we are here to listen. To hear their story and to learn from it. Many of our volunteers have been bereaved by suicide, they say it helps with their grieving, some say it was what kept them going.
Last year we welcomed a new Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Coordinator to Powys – Jan Roberts. How does PAPYRUS link into this work?
Powys Teaching Health Board is the only health board in Wales to have this post. I think it is really progressive. I have had long chats with Jan - she is doing great work! I have contributed to Jan’s work on the bereavement pathway and some of her work with Primary Care. I’m sure there will be more collaboration in the future and I’m looking forward to it.
I’ve also spoken to a town council in Powys about creating a suicide safer community. I’d like to see more opportunities to work in this way. Jan…are you listening?
What is HOPEWALK and will it be happening again in 2022?
HOPEWALK is an opportunity for people who have experienced suicide ideation, or have lost someone to suicide, to come together and learn from each other / be there for each other. They’ve been hugely popular and there are loads happening across Wales. We promote them for October every year and you can sign up for a fundraising pack of goodies etc. Often, they are a fundraiser in memory of someone who died by suicide. Emma Webb from Newport recently did one in memory of her daughter Brodie who tragically died aged 16, just before lock down. Emma raised over £10k for us.
You may have seen 3 Dads Walking on Breakfast TV before Xmas. Sadly, they each lost a daughter to suicide and did a HOPEWALK for PAPYRUS, in their memory. There is no doubt that the publicity that Emma and the 3 Dads received helped; those bereaved by suicide, to talk about their loss; worried parents to phone our helpline and young people who are struggling to reach out.
What are the main challenges working in this field?
Every time I hear of a young suicide in Wales I think – did they know about us? This makes me work harder, it encourages me to get out there and increase our reach so more young people know where to access support.
Put the helpline number in your phone now – you never know when you might need it: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141.
Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at PAPYRUS
Hearing that we are making a difference. Attending an event and having a parent come up to you and say they have phoned us and received really helpful advice. Talking to a Head Teacher who says our support has been invaluable. Reading feedback from a young person who has accessed our helpline and says
"When I phoned you I really was planning on ending my life tonight but now I’m not. You have really made me feel better, I have not been able to talk to anyone like this before, thank you so much”.
How do you like spending your time when you’re not working?
I love walking my dog – no excuse living in Powys! I love traipsing around shops in our small towns and meeting friends and family for coffee, cake and a chinwag!
If you are a young person thinking about suicide, or concerned for a young person, you can call The PAPYRUS helpline HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039 967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org 9am – midnight every day of the year (weekends and Bank Holidays included).
For more information about PAPYRUS and their resources and training offer check out the PAPYRUS website
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