Free, short and informative e-learning module can teach how to offer support

PEOPLE are being encouraged to take a free and quick online module that could help save a suicidal person’s life.

The Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance is asking everyone to learn how to talk and listen to someone who may be at risk of suicide.

The city has a higher rate of suicide than the England and South East averages, as around 24 people take their own lives by suicide each year in our area.

Portsmouth City Council wants to reduce the number of suicides in the city by at least 10 per cent over the next three years, and says it will provide support for those bereaved or affected by suicide.

Jane Leech, health development manager at the council, said: ‘We can all contribute by promoting early intervention by reducing the stigma around mental distress, in particular encouraging men to take care of their own mental health and seeking help early.’

With 78 per cent of these deaths in the area being male, men are almost four times more likely to die from suicide than women. This is in line with the national trend. Death by suicide is highest in middle aged men aged 40 to 44, while female deaths by suicide in Portsmouth have an older age profile.

Around 42 per cent of all female deaths are women aged 50 or older, compared with 32 per cent for males. Research shows that 59 per cent of those who died by suicide had seen a GP in the three months before their death.

Jane added: ‘Talking about suicide provides the opportunity for communication. Fears shared are more likely to diminish.

Find out more about the module, provided by the Zero Suicide Alliance, at relias. co.uk/hubfs/ZSA-FullTraining-10012020/ story_html5.html