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Sunday 10 September 2023 is World Suicide Prevention Day across the globe
It is 20 years since the first World Suicide Prevention Day was launched in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in association with the World Health Organisation. The idea was to raise awareness of the problem world-wide, to reiterate the message that “suicides are preventable.”
Taking time to reach out to someone in your community – a family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger – could change the course of another person's life.
"You can help give someone hope by showing that you care. All of us can play a role, no matter how small. We may never know what we do that makes a difference. We all can reach in and ask somebody. You do not need to tell them what to do or have solutions, but simply making the time and space to listen to someone about their experiences of distress or suicidal thoughts can help. Small talk can save lives and create a sense of connection and hope in somebody who may be struggling." International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Powys and suicide
Taking time to reach out to someone in your community – a family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger – could change the course of another person's life.
"You can help give someone hope by showing that you care. All of us can play a role, no matter how small. We may never know what we do that makes a difference. We all can reach in and ask somebody. You do not need to tell them what to do or have solutions, but simply making the time and space to listen to someone about their experiences of distress or suicidal thoughts can help. Small talk can save lives and create a sense of connection and hope in somebody who may be struggling." International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Powys and suicide
The issue of suicide is as relevant in Powys as it is anywhere else in the world. According to the Samaritans Powys has the highest suicide rate in Wales. “Someone takes their life every 3.5 weeks. We are a remote rural farming community, which tends to get overlooked in terms of funding. Low income, unmanageable debt, unemployment, poor housing & other socio-economic factors contribute to high suicide rates in most disadvantaged communities.”
We wrote last summer about the New Suicide and Self Harm Forum for Powys and the three main areas of work to be followed up by the forum - suicide, self-harm and postvention (activities to support those bereaved by suicide to help with their recovery).
Welsh Government - Suicide Prevention Cross Party Group
This Suicide Prevention Cross Party Group raises awareness and campaigns on a cross party basis to drive change on suicide prevention in Wales.
National and Mid & West Wales Regional Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Programme
The national suicide and self-harm prevention strategy 2015-2020, ‘Talk to me 2’ was extended to 2022 as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. The strategy has 6 key objectives, including to: “Further improve awareness, knowledge and understanding of suicide and self harm amongst the public, individuals who frequently come into contact with people at risk of suicide and self harm, and professionals.”
Following a recent public consultation on the strategy work is underway on the development of the new suicide and self harm strategy for Wales which is expected to be published in 2024.
Strategy implementation is guided by a National Advisory Group which is made up of statutory, voluntary and charity agencies who are involved in suicide and self-harm prevention in Wales. Implementation of the Talk to me 2 strategy has been split into 3 regions across Wales with 3 Regional leads:
Laura Tranter is the Mid & West Wales Regional Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Lead.
One of the objectives of the Regional Coordinator role is to support the Mid & West Wales Regional Suicide and Self harm Prevention Forum is to support the development of regional action plans that connect national strategy with more localised strategies and plans, across sectoral boundaries. Over the past year the regional forum has been identifying its priorities for the region and has developed a number of sub groups to coordinate action. These sub groups will focus on:
The Powys Talk to Me 2 Delivery Group works across organisations to bring together and coordinate actions within Powys to ensure effective local delivery of the T2M2 strategy.
Digital hub
The National Suicide and Self Harm Team have been developing a digital hub where users can explore training options, get the latest updates and find out about future events.
The digital hub currently hosts videos and presentations from the Suicide and Self-harm National Conference held on 2 March 2023 at Cardiff City Hall.
One of the objectives of the Regional Coordinator role is to support the Mid & West Wales Regional Suicide and Self harm Prevention Forum is to support the development of regional action plans that connect national strategy with more localised strategies and plans, across sectoral boundaries. Over the past year the regional forum has been identifying its priorities for the region and has developed a number of sub groups to coordinate action. These sub groups will focus on:
- Children and young people.
- Prevention.
- Lived experience.
The Powys Talk to Me 2 Delivery Group works across organisations to bring together and coordinate actions within Powys to ensure effective local delivery of the T2M2 strategy.
Digital hub
The National Suicide and Self Harm Team have been developing a digital hub where users can explore training options, get the latest updates and find out about future events.
The digital hub currently hosts videos and presentations from the Suicide and Self-harm National Conference held on 2 March 2023 at Cardiff City Hall.
Rapid Response
Across the Mid & West Wales region a Rapid Response Pilot has been being implemented since September 2022. This is a process that engages safeguarding and other partners to determine the impact of a suspected suicide and to ensure there is a support system and resources to support those affected or impacted by the death.
National guidance on how we respond to those affected or bereaved by suicide
A national multi-agency working group has been working in collaboration with the National Suicide and Self Harm prevention Team to develop guidance on responding to people affected by suicide. The draft guidance was published by Welsh Government for consultation. Feedback has been analysed and published by the Welsh Government Policy Team.
Powys Suicide Bereavement Service
This service aims to provide early assistance, practical support and signposting to people bereaved by suicide or suspected suicide within the last two years, e.g. support with arranging a funeral, advice on finance difficulties, advise on the coroner inquest procedure, and referral to specialist counselling.
The service can also provide support to those bereaved by suicide historically, e.g. signposting to specialist counselling. You can find out more on the Powys Teaching Health Board website: Bereaved by Suicide or Suspected Suicide Support.
For further information about suicide and self harm prevention across Mid & West Wales please contact Laura Tranter at sshp.cymru@wales.nhs.uk
Other sources of support
Suicide prevention pledge - Mid & North Powys Mind
The Suicide Prevention Pledge is the initiative of Mid and North Powys Mind - in response to the high rate of suicides in Powys. Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under 40.
“Talking about suicide can seem scary and some people can feel if they mention suicide it can put the thought in someone’s head. There is NO evidence of this and in fact talking about it actually helps and is one of the easiest ways to prevent suicide.
We need to make a change. We need to say it’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to not be okay.
We understand it can be daunting to talk to professionals, so the pledge is designed to make it easier to talk to friends and family, as well as to know where to encourage people to get help from."
The pledge cards can be downloaded from the Mid & North Powys Mind website.
People sign up to support others, and also to contact sources of support if they are struggling.
As well as services such as 1:1 support and counselling, Mid & North Powys Mind also provide courses on Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid to help people find out more about how they can support people to prevent suicide happening.
Nicki (not her real name) was helped by the 1:1 support service and Mums Matter course at Mid & North Powys Mind after struggling with anxiety and depression. She “also found it very difficult to remember to take medication, and sometimes felt suicidal.” She describes how her life turned round after working with Mind to put coping strategies in place. You can read Nicki’s full account of what happened on the Mind website.
Support after Suicide - North Powys
This is a new support group on Facebook which has been set up by the local mental health charities Ponthafren and Mid & North Powys Mind:
“Many of us have lost a loved one through suicide and we recognise how difficult this can be.
Ponthafren and Mind are helping to deliver a regular support group for people bereaved by suicide."
Face to face meetings are held regularly on the first Tuesday of the month at Hafan yr Afan in Newtown, 7 - 9pm. You can find out more on the Facebook page.
This bereaved by suicide peer support group walk is on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. If the weather is bad, the group moves to a nearby rugby club for tea and coffee.
This support group is suitable for anyone living in, or around, the Ystradgynlais area, who is over 18, and has been bereaved by suicide. If you are interested in attending you can find out more on the Ystradgynlais Mind Facebook page here.
Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suicide
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people aged 25 - 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.
The UK-wide charity Papyrus is there to help.
Kate Heneghan, Head in Wales of the charity Papyrus, wrote last year about her work with Papyrus in Wales to support, equip and influence to help prevent suicide in young people.
Other resources
Samaritans provide a helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And you can find more about the local Brecon & Radnor branch here.
C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service. Anyone concerned about their own mental health, or that of a relative or friend, can access the service.
The NHS has a very useful webpage on Help for suicidal thoughts.
The charity Mind has a range of information on its website relating to suicide, including sections about Suicidal feelings and Creating a support plan to use if someone is feeling suicidal.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide is a self-help organisation which exists to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 information.
The Suicide Prevention Pledge is the initiative of Mid and North Powys Mind - in response to the high rate of suicides in Powys. Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under 40.
“Talking about suicide can seem scary and some people can feel if they mention suicide it can put the thought in someone’s head. There is NO evidence of this and in fact talking about it actually helps and is one of the easiest ways to prevent suicide.
We need to make a change. We need to say it’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to not be okay.
We understand it can be daunting to talk to professionals, so the pledge is designed to make it easier to talk to friends and family, as well as to know where to encourage people to get help from."
Sometimes all that’s needed is for someone to listen
The pledge cards can be downloaded from the Mid & North Powys Mind website.
People sign up to support others, and also to contact sources of support if they are struggling.
As well as services such as 1:1 support and counselling, Mid & North Powys Mind also provide courses on Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health First Aid to help people find out more about how they can support people to prevent suicide happening.
Nicki (not her real name) was helped by the 1:1 support service and Mums Matter course at Mid & North Powys Mind after struggling with anxiety and depression. She “also found it very difficult to remember to take medication, and sometimes felt suicidal.” She describes how her life turned round after working with Mind to put coping strategies in place. You can read Nicki’s full account of what happened on the Mind website.
This is a new support group on Facebook which has been set up by the local mental health charities Ponthafren and Mid & North Powys Mind:
“Many of us have lost a loved one through suicide and we recognise how difficult this can be.
Ponthafren and Mind are helping to deliver a regular support group for people bereaved by suicide."
Face to face meetings are held regularly on the first Tuesday of the month at Hafan yr Afan in Newtown, 7 - 9pm. You can find out more on the Facebook page.
Bereaved by Suicide Walk - South Powys
This bereaved by suicide peer support group walk is on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. If the weather is bad, the group moves to a nearby rugby club for tea and coffee.
This support group is suitable for anyone living in, or around, the Ystradgynlais area, who is over 18, and has been bereaved by suicide. If you are interested in attending you can find out more on the Ystradgynlais Mind Facebook page here.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people aged 25 - 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.
The UK-wide charity Papyrus is there to help.
Kate Heneghan, Head in Wales of the charity Papyrus, wrote last year about her work with Papyrus in Wales to support, equip and influence to help prevent suicide in young people.
Other resources
Samaritans provide a helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And you can find more about the local Brecon & Radnor branch here.
C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service. Anyone concerned about their own mental health, or that of a relative or friend, can access the service.
The NHS has a very useful webpage on Help for suicidal thoughts.
The charity Mind has a range of information on its website relating to suicide, including sections about Suicidal feelings and Creating a support plan to use if someone is feeling suicidal.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide is a self-help organisation which exists to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 information.
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