Partnership taskforce sees excellent results
While suicide rates are reducing in Wales, the same cannot be said for the UK as a whole. Here, and analyse the latest statistics and highlight one example of good practice in Bridgend
A TASKFORCE set up to reduce suicide rates in the Bridgend area has had major success.
The group, comprising of representatives from South Wales Police, Public Health Wales, Bridgend County Borough Council and employees from the-then Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, was put together last year to look at what could be done to prevent suicides in the region.
The work followed on from the implementation of a Bridgend Suicide and Self Harm Prevention Strategy which saw GPs better placed to offer support, new training for all secondary school teachers, easier access to help and support, follow-up checks and school visits to raise awareness. Subsequently, suicide rates have fallen in the area and remain low despite a general rise elsewhere.
The strategy has since been shared nationwide, with South Wales Police Superintendent Claire Evans nominating them for a Police and Crime Commissioner Partnership Award.
Superintendent Evans said: “One of our key force priorities is vulnerability. The work this group is doing is undoubtedly having a positive impact, providing better safeguarding and support for the vulnerable within our communities.
“I have been very impressed with the positive attitude displayed by all members of the group.
“In recent months, and as the work of our group had been shared regionally, I had come to realise that what we were doing here in Bridgend was having positive results. I could clearly see an increase in reported suicides to South Wales Police across all areas of the force but here in Bridgend, the numbers were falling.”
Commenting on the success of the group she said: “There is no one intervention that can account for this reduction, this is true partnership working at its best with every agency having a key role to play.
“I just pull everyone together, share information and they each go off and do what they do best.”