Suicide to Zero
According to the Office for National Statistics between 2017 and 2019 the rate of suicides in Dorset rose considerably. But what positive campaigns are being made to reduce the rate across the UK? In Northern Ireland they had a co-ordinated approach to reducing suicide. There they noted that those who had taken their own life had accessed mental health services in the previous year. Therefore they identified the groups they came from as people vulnerable to taking their own life and paid extra attention to their well-being, plugging any perceived gaps in mental health services. In Liverpool they had a 23% reduction in the rate of suicide by implementing the Protect Life 2 strategy.
(1) Reduce the incidence of repeat self-harm presentation to hospital Emergency Departments.
(2) Enhance community capacity to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour within local communities.
(3) Deliver a multi-sectoral training programme in suicide awareness and intervention.
(4) Improve awareness of suicide prevention and associated services.
(5) Improve support for those caring for someone who is suicidal.
(6) Ensure the provision of effective and timely information and tailored support for individuals and families bereaved by suicide.
(7) Identify emerging suicide clusters and act promptly to reduce the risk of suicides in the community.
Commentary
With the pandemic creating a greater risk of suicide, as well as those already accessing mental health services, other groups at risk include young people and middle-aged men on low or little income.
What mental health authorities should also be doing is to encourage councils, companies, and other organisations to train people up as Mental Health First Aiders, keep promoting the Retreats and Community Front Rooms and engage more people in social media.
Aims for Suicide to Zero?
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Reduce the incidence of repeat self-harm presentation to hospital Emergency Departments
-
Enhance community capacity to prevent and respond to suicidal behaviour within local communities.
-
Deliver a multi-sectoral training programme in suicide awareness and intervention.
-
Improve awareness of suicide prevention and associated services.
-
Improve support for those caring for someone who is suicidal
-
Ensure the provision of effective and timely information and tailored support for individuals and families bereaved by suicide
-
Identify emerging suicide clusters and act promptly to reduce the risk of suicides in the community
-
Deliver a multi-sectoral training programme in suicide awareness and intervention.
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