Teaming up to help save lives

A number of suicide prevention agencies have committed to improving their partnership working for the benefit of people in crisis in Lanarkshire.

Leaders of various community and voluntary organisations working to prevent suicides gathered together at the Alona Hotel at Strathclyde Park to discuss ideal practices and identify areas where they can improve and strengthen services.

The Suicide Prevention engagement event took place last week and was a meeting of minds of individuals and organisations from across the whole of Lanarkshire, who are best placed to tackle suicide and associated mental health issues.

Hosted by Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire ( VANL), in partnership with Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, Health & Social Care Partnership (South Lanarkshire) and Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire, the event provided the opportunity to discuss challenges and issues affecting communities and how different organisations could work together as to address them.

Prominent local charities such as Chris’s House, The Miracle Foundation, and FAMS (Families Against Murder and Suicide) were represented as were national organisations such as SAMH and Samaritans.

Jackie Melville, programme manager for community solutions at VANL, said: “There was a really good turnout of 120 people from a variety of community and voluntary organisations.

“We had a series of presentations in the morning about services the local authority offers, along with additional perspectives, and contributions from other suicide prevention agencies.

“The discussion in the afternoon focused on maximising our statutory services and areas where we could be doing better.”

A report is to be prepared and sent to suicide prevention partnership groups in both South Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire, helping to inform their own actions plans.

United Community and voluntary group leaders joining forces at Alona Hotel

Applause Some great information and ideas were shared by various organisations

Speech Jackie Melville, of VANL, chats with attendees at the engagement event

Working together Around 120 people gathered at the community meeting

Talk Kim Armstrong, of Chris’s House, on stage giving a presentation