Hello and Welcome to our First Newsletter
Welcome to the first edition for the Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Suicide Prevention newsletter to keep you informed about the suicide prevention work underway, up to date with the latest information on events and training opportunities and resources. Please feel free to subscribe and forward onto others.
The B&NES Suicide Prevention Strategic Group is a multi-agency governance group consisting of agencies across the area as well as experts by lived experience and supporting providers. A key action from the new action plan is to produce a quarterly newsletter to link all key organisations and communities in their efforts to contribute to suicide prevention, improve communication and share good practice.
If you would like more information, to share any updates on any work you are doing relating to suicide prevention or to contribute an article or resources please get in touch by emailing suicide_prevention@bathnes.gov.uk
Disclaimer: If you find any of this content upsetting or distressing please call Samaritans 116 123 for free or talk to a professional or a person you trust.
Take care
Hannah
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In this newsletter:
- Latest News
- Training
- Tools
- Key Dates
- Research Round - Up
- Partners News
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Latest News
New B&NES Suicide Prevention Webpage
Find out more about the B&NES action plan and where you can access suicide prevention and bereavement resources, support, and training (including free online training) all in one place. Visit here to take a look.
B&NES Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2021 - 2023
Paul Scott, Associate Director and Consultant in Public Health presented the new B&NES Suicide Prevention Action Plan for 2021 - 2023 to the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel. The action plan was well-received by Councillors and highlighted the importance of this work from the Covid - 19 pandemic. The plan will continue to be presented to other boards to raise awareness of the work. This action plan was created of the back of the stakeholder event in February 2020. Later on in the year we will host a stakeholder event to celebrate the good work so far, showcase learning and an opportunity to connect with others.
Mental Health Awareness Week - 10th May - 16th May
Mental Health Awareness Week is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. This year’s theme was nature. B&NES Council shared local stories and projects on social media throughout the week and inspired more people to connect with nature in a range of creative and digital ways. Find out more about the local stories and resources to continue the conversation on mental health here.
Suicide Bereavement UK Armed Forces Bereavement Pack
Suicide Bereavement UK has been commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement Armed Forces Commissioning team, to develop an evidence-based Armed Forces suicide bereavement pack. Visit here for more information about this project or email Paul.Higham@suicidebereavementuk.com.
Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency Documentary
The one hour BBC Three documentary which aired on March 16th follows Capital radio host Roman Kemp searching for answers after losing his best friend in August 2020 to suicide and wants to investigate why so many men take their own lives in the UK. The show has been widely praised by the public, professionals and mental health organisations. The documentary is still available to watch on catch up via the IPlayer.
Real World Public Mental Health podcast
The podcast looks at how the evidence is being used in real world to prevent and promote better mental health for all. Hosted by Stu King (founder and CEO of Beezee Bodies) interviews professionals working in public mental health to share insights on the latest findings and discuss local to national mental strategies. Find out more about the podcasts to here.
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One Million People Have Completed a Your Mind Plan
Public Health England have reported that as of 22nd March 2021 one million people have completed the Every Mind Matters Your Mind Plan. By answering five quick questions you'll create a practical plan tailored to you to help maintain and improve your mental health and wellbeing from help dealing with stress and anxiety to sleep and support with feeling more in control. To take the quiz today, visit here.
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Training
This training is suitable for a wide range of organisations and communities.
FREE
- Zero Suicide Alliance provides awareness training options, with the aim to provide a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts.
- Winston Wish short free online bereavement training courses will help teachers and schools tells us to understand how grief affects affects a child or young person and how you can help them cope with their grief. Available for primary schools and secondary schools.
- Samaritans Managing Suicidal Conversations will show people how to confidently approach somebody in this situation and the most effective types of responses. New dates are below.
- PAPYRUS Suicide Prevention - Awareness, Resource, Knowledge (SP-ARK). This will provide a introduction to PAPYRUS and Suicide Prevention, Hope and importance of self - care. Short presentation face to face and online. One session per organisation available.
COSTS INCLUDED
- PAPYRUS delivers presentations, tutorials and training to increase the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin and encourage Suicide Prevention and suicide-safer communities. Take a look at the upcoming sessions here.
- STORM - first fully evaluated suicide prevention training package for frontline workers. There are various training packages available for adult and young adults, visit here for more information.
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Tools
- Staying Safe - website helps you to make a suicide safety plan and can help anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or supporting someone else.
- Stay Alive - is free a smartphone app, full of information and tools to help you stay safe when in a crisis. Available on Android and IOS.
- Support After Suicide - has lots of practical information and find emotional support if you have been impacted by suicide or witnessed a suicide.
- Autistica - has a information page on the link with suicide and autism and what we can do to change it.
- B&NES Coping with Suicide - A summary report of support for educational settings 2018.
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The Support After Suicide Partnership has updated the Help is at Hand (postvention support guide for people bereaved by suicide or an unexplained death). This updated guidance now includes information for children and military families, as well as information on the probate process and emotional support.
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Key Dates
Training, Events and Support
JUNE
- 11th June - 30th June - The Wellbeing College Introduction to Self - Care. Register for a free place here.
- 28th June - The West of England Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) and Bristol Mind virtual mental health awareness training for care home managers. The WAHSN and Bristol Mind are delivering a free mental health awareness training for care home managers and deputy managers to help you further support your staff through a 2.5 hour interactive workshop. Register for a free place here, various dates available.
- Every 3rd Wednesday of the month - Bath Virtual Support SOBS Group. For more information visit here.
- 15th June - 24th June - Bath Mind Mental Health First Aider sessions. Register for a place here.
- 17th June - 20th September - Samaritans Managing Suicide Conversations. This digital course is aimed at delegates whose job / volunteer could bring them into contact with a suicidal person, providing them with the skills and knowledge to provide support to an individual. Register a place here.
- 23rd June - 22th September - Samaritans Conversations with Vulnerable People. This digital course is an active listening course, aimed at individuals who interact with vulnerable customers in their roles. This course provides participants with the tools and technique to identify, interact with and signpost vulnerable individuals. Register for a place here.
JULY
- 7th July - King's College London Resilient Futures; Hidden Narratives in Global Mental Health. This conference aims to consider the key questions and challenges facing the field of Global Mental Health. Register for a place here.
- Every 3rd Wednesday of the month - Bath Virtual Support SOBS Group. For more information visit here.
- 14th July - Samaritans Building Resilience and Wellbeing. This digital course aimed at organisations which are committed to promoting emotional health and resilience in the workplace, to improve staff and productivity. Register for a place here.
SEPTEMBER
- Every 3rd Wednesday of the month - Bath Virtual Support SOBS Group. For more information visit here.
- 13th-20th September - 1st-8th November - Maytree Respite Centre: Level 1 &2 Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training. The Level 1 training is aimed at professionals looking to develop their understanding of suicide ideation. Level 2 training is aimed at professionals with existing knowledge around suicide, looking to develop their skills and understanding. Register for a place here.
- 22nd September - Seminar Why Language Matters for Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing. This UCL Catalyst seminar series is intended to spark fresh thinking and debate, featuring cutting-edge UCL research relevant for children and young people’s mental health and facilitate new connections. Register for a place here.
- 23rd September - Suicide Bereavement UK's 10th International Face to Face Conference "Thinking out of the Box!" Register for a place here.
OCTOBER
- 6th October - B&NES Suicide Prevention Steering Group Annual Event
- Every 3rd Wednesday of the month - Bath Virtual Support SOBS Group. For more information visit here.
- 13th October - Seminar Self - harm in young people: new approaches to intervention. This UCL Catalyst seminar series is intended to spark fresh thinking and debate, featuring cutting-edge UCL research relevant for children and young people’s mental health. Register for a place here.
For more free community courses visit The B&NES Wellbeing College here.
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Research Round - Up
Suicide in England since the Covid - 19 pandemic - early figures from real - time surveillance
University of Manchester and NCISH examined suicide figures from established "real-time surveillance" (RTS) systems in several parts of England, total population 9 million, comparing the months pre-lockdown (January-March 2020) to post lockdown (April-August 2020). The average number of suicides per month varied but there was no evidence of a rise post-lockdown but important caveats apply.
From Grief to Hope: The Collective Voice of Those Bereaved or Affected By Suicide in the UK
Published in 2020, this report by Suicide Bereavement UK and University of Manchester reflects the impact suicide bereavement has had on over 7,150 people in the UK. The aim of this report is to share the ‘lived experience’ of those bereaved by suicide to help inform policy and practice.
Covid - 19 Social Study Week 50 - 52 Report- Psychological response, compliance, sleep quality and vaccine intentions
The Covid - 19 Social Study is a research study run by University College London, exploring the effects of the virus and social distancing measures on adults in the UK during the outbreak of Covid - 19. In the Week 50 - 52 report, there continues to be no clear change in thoughts or death or self - harm. Percentages of people having thoughts of death or self - harm have been relatively stable during the pandemic. They remain slightly higher among younger adults, with around 1 in 5 reporting thoughts of death or self - harm.
New report from NCISH on Suicide by middle-aged men
This report describes findings from a national study combing multiple sources of information to examine the factors related to suicide in middle-aged men. This report is based on deaths that occurred in 12-month period between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017. It describes the antecedents of suicide and barriers to accessing services, and includes recommendations for suicide prevention for men in mid-life. A copy of the key messages can be downloaded here.
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B&NES Welfare Support
The Welfare Support Scheme provides B&NES residents with short-term, emergency help with living costs. We cannot provide cash or loans, but may offer you vouchers or help you to buy essential items, refer you to charity support, or temporarily contribute towards travel, housing, or living costs.
How to apply:
Call: 01225 477277
Email:welfare_support@bathnes.gov.uk
Website: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/apply-welfare-support
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Partners News
- Bath Mind - click here to see the latest news and upcoming events.
- Bath Samaritans - click here to keep up to date with news about our services, programmes and events.
- 3GS - click here to find out the latest news from the voluntary and community sector.
- Public Health - click here to stay up to date with the latest news and information.
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