New suicide prevention strategy published on World Suicide Prevention Day

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day; a day when organisations and communities come together to raise awareness about how we can work together to prevent suicide. 

Every suicide is a tragedy for the individual and those who knew them. The impact is not just felt by immediate family and friends. Studies suggest that a suicide can affect a wide circle of individuals, including those who witness the death or are involved in the response. Preventing deaths from suicide remains a national and local priority.

The new Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Strategy has been developed by the Public Health team at the county council; working with the Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership. Engagement with people affected by suicide and professionals helped to inform where partners should collectively focus to improve mental health and wellbeing, and prevent suicides and self-harm.

The strategy sets out seven priorities for Gloucestershire: 

• Reducing the risk of suicide in high-risk groups, such as men, people with a history of self-harm, people in contact with mental health services and those in contact with the criminal justice system.
• Addressing common risk factors associated with suicide at a population level; for example, physical ill-health and disability, bereavement, financial difficulties, unemployment, and social isolation.
• Reducing access to the means and methods of suicide: working with relevant agencies to understand potential high-risk locations and making sure we are alert to any evidence of new and emerging methods.
• Providing information and support to those affected by or bereaved through suicide.
• Promoting online safety and responsible media reporting of suicide and self-harm.
• Providing effective crisis support for those who reach crisis point.
• Supporting research, data collection and monitoring to better understand the Gloucestershire picture and what the local approach to suicide prevention should be.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, cabinet member for public health and communities, said, “Every death by suicide is a tragedy that has lasting impacts on families, friends and wider communities. No single organisation can prevent suicide alone, and we are committed to working with our partners and communities across the county to improve mental health and reduce the risk of suicide.”

The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is changing the narrative on suicide and encouraging people to start a conversation.

One in five of us will have suicidal thoughts in our lifetime, but a recent poll found that only 45% of people feel comfortable talking to family and friends about suicidal thoughts, compared to 74% who said they feel comfortable talking about mental health.

For guidance on how to support someone you are worried about, the Samaritans have some simple and easy guidance to follow: www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/how-support-someone-youre-worried-about

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123.

If you have been bereaved by suicide, the Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service (GSASS), delivered by Rethink, can offer specialist support. Call 07483 375516 or email glossupportaftersuicide@rethink.org.

Read the Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Strategy (2024-2029) here.