‘ Talking about our mental ill health is very important to preventing suicide’

The county’s suicide rate may be among the highest in the country with demand on services increasing, but the trust responsible for mental healthcare in Kent says everything is being done to bring it down.

Professor Catherine Kinane, medical director of the Kent and Medway Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), says: “Every suicide is a tragedy and, as a health and social care system, we would like to prevent every death.”

A strategy involving numerous agencies has now been formed, which aims to reduce the stigma and encourage those with depression to talk about their problems and seek help.

She explains: “Last year, members of the royal family talked about their own concerns and we’ve also had famous sports stars, actors and actresses talking about mental health.

“I think that’s very powerful and shows it is something that can happen in your life, but that you can work through it.”

She says her organisation’s mission is to provide treatment to those with mental disorders through different specialist teams.

“Crisis resolution is just one aspect of what we do, but it’s important,” she says.

“Treatment is provided at home, and the team works 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the whole of the county.

The level of contact, she says,

As the alarming toll of young men taking their own lives rises, the Kentish Gazette continues its campaign to End the Stigma surrounding mental health. Last week, we reported the tragic stories of mothers left devastated by the suicides of their sons. Now, chief reporter Gerry Warren speaks to mental health professionals and organisations about their work to stem the losses, and the support available for those in crisis…