SUICIDE PREVENTION
Across the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death in men under the age of 50, young people and new mothers.
The organisation Suicide Is Preventable has produced the national suicide prevention strategy which identifies seven priority areas for reducing instances of suicide. These are:
- Reducing the risk of suicide in high risk groups
- Tailoring approaches to improve mental health in specific groups
- Reducing access to the means of suicide
- Providing better information and support to those bereaved by suicide
- Supporting the media in delivering sensitive approaches to suicide and suicidal behaviour
- Supporting research, data collection and monitoring
- Reducing the rates of self-harm as a key indicator of suicide risk
Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. No one person or agency can reduce suicide rates in isolation. It requires input from the public as well as a collaborative approach from statutory, voluntary and community groups; police, fire, ambulance, public health, substance misuse services as well as children and young people’s services. Suicide prevention requires a community-wide approach.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
If you are struggling and need someone to talk to confidentially, contact the Samaritans
What we are doing to prevent suicide in Devon
In Devon, we subscribe to a collaborative approach for suicide prevention and adopted the approach recommended by The National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Coordinated through Devon County Council, our strategic group on suicide prevention meets to review and update the Devon Suicide Prevention Implementation Plan on a regular basis, with The Devon and Torbay Suicide Prevention Alliance and its members coordinate the practical implementation of the plan.
In working with partner agencies and the general public, the objective is to create a safer suicide community through raising awareness, training, courageous conversations and challenging the stigma and guilt associated with suicide (now and past instances).
WHO CAN I SPEAK TO?
Devon and Torbay Suicide Prevention Alliance
Raising awareness of suicide and its impact on those involved in supporting suicide prevention.
Access the Devon and Torbay Suicide Prevention Alliance website
Pete’s Dragons
Samaritans
Confidential listening service for people needing to talk to someone about problems.
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Action to Prevent Suicide CIC
Training and raising awareness of Suicide Prevention
Call: 01803 226 227
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide helps individuals overcome the bereavement of a suicide.
Call: 0300 111 5065
Email: sobs.support@hotmail.com
Papyrus
Confidential help and advice for young people and anyone worried about a young person.
Call: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786 209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Stay Alive App
Suicide prevent resource that can be downloaded onto a smartphone. Provides information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
