COVENTRY and Warwickshire health and wellbeing teams are uniting to offer a range of support on World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow (Thursday September 10).
They will be joining global organisations through their Wellbeing for Life virtual festival to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.
The suicide rate for men rose to a 20-year high in 2019, according to latest data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released last week. It reported 5,691 suicides – 4,303 men and 1,388 women. Between 2016 and 2018 230 people across Coventry and Warwickshire died as a result of suicide.
On the day, you can find videos from suicide prevention charities It Takes Balls to Talk, a Coventry and Warwickshire based awareness campaign for men, and Cameron Grant Memorial Trust, supporting the mental health of young people. There will also be n introduction to the day from the lead clinician for risk and suicide prevention on the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) website.
The impact of Covid-19 on the nation’s mental health has led to isolation, fear, loneliness and uncertainty for many, and for some, the difficulties they have faced have led to thoughts about taking their own life.
For anyone struggling with the demands of life or finding things particularly hard during the pandemic, help is always available. Coventry and Warwickshire local authorities and health services last month launched a new suicide prevention website, dearlife. The site provides a range of support and signposting to vital services for residents who are desperately seeking support for themselves or anyone who is worried about a loved one or someone they know.
Anne Prendergast, lead officer for clinical risk and suicide prevention at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for local communities, including the NHS and local authorities, to come together to raise awareness of suicide, the support that is out there, and to encourage people to talk about their feelings.
“If you or someone close to you has had thoughts of suicide, hopefully these events, and the new suicide prevention site, will give you plenty of information of where you can access the support and help you might need.”
Coventry city councillor Kamran Caan for public health and sport, said: “We have been working with our partners to raise awareness, address the stigma, and reduce the rates of suicide in Coventry. Unfortunately, mental health is not talked about enough and this week’s Wellbeing for Life festival can hopefully help to change that.
‘The Dear Life website recently launched is a fantastic way to help everyone in our city to feel they have somewhere to go for advice at a time they or someone close to them is struggling.
“It is of utmost importance that no-one feels alone and we would encourage everyone in our community to explore the website and share with anyone that could benefit from support.”
For people who can’t access resources online, there is help available to you. If you are struggling to cope, please call Samaritans for free at any time, from any phone on 116 123. If you have seriously harmed yourself, call 999 or ask someone to call 999 for you.
