Suicide prevention support

PEOPLE and organisations are to be asked to pledge their support for suicide prevention, as part of a powerful, new campaign.

Last Tuesday (January 9), the county council’s cabinet approved the development of a STOP Suicide campaign, which includes encouraging individuals and businesses to make a pledge of support.

The STOP Suicide campaign is already running successfully across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough following a pilot scheme funded by the NHS.

Although suicide rates for the county are broadly in line with the national average – which is itself at a 20-year low – there are still around 55 deaths a year from suicide, making it a significant cause of death, particularly among younger people.

Council leader Nick Rushton said: “Although the figures appear relatively small, any death of this nature has a devastating effect on families and friends.

“Young people and their mental health issues are a priority for the council. It’s about recognising the signs and acting upon them, so people get the help they need.

“There is already a lot of good work being done in Leicestershire and we want to start a conversation with partners to see if that work can be further extended.”

Current initiatives, led by the county council’s public health department, would be broadened to include:

• An increasing role for the voluntary sector;

• Bidding for funding to specifically support suicide prevention initiatives;

• Strengthening the availability of crisis support and developing training around suicide awareness;

• Increasing staff resources dedicated to suicide prevention work;

• Developing a website presence