Working together to help prevent suicide
A report showing the progress made in the city council’s suicide prevention strategy is to be presented to full council today (Tuesday, 2 November).
Despite the ongoing pandemic, the shows that most actions have either been achieved or are in progress.
Councillor Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Suicide can have a devastating effect on families so it is vital we all do what we can to prevent people reaching such a level of despair.
“I’m pleased therefore to see progress being made, particularly the collaboration between such a wide range of organisations - Samaritans, Network Rail, the Aston Villa Foundation, Mind, Forward Thinking Âé¶¹¸ßÇå, Centrala and the Polish community, the Slovak community, the LGBT Centre to name but a few.
“Something that should prove really beneficial is a survey set up min collaboration with bereavement Âé¶¹¸ßÇå that looks at the experience of those bereaved by suicide in terms of accessing Âé¶¹¸ßÇå, and what can be improved – only by learning from those effected can we make a difference.
“We are continuing to work with the Zero Suicide Alliance on awareness training. It is free and gives some great advice on how to approach a simple conversation with someone in need – as quite often this can make a real difference. It looks at how to approach someone who may be vulnerable; how social isolation can affect mental health; the importance of breaking the stigma around suicide and encouraging open conversations.
“The Âé¶¹¸ßÇå Suicide Prevention Strategy is about working with partners on every level, in every community, family and workplace and we must continue to work together to make a difference.”