Support is available for people affected by suicide in Coventry and Warwickshire
Approximately 7% of children will have attempted suicide by the age of 17, according to a paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, experts say these figures could rise, and with World Suicide Prevention Day last Friday 10 September, organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire have been raising awareness of the local and national support available to anyone thinking of taking their own life or to anyone affected by suicide.
Three years ago, with rates of suicide increasing in our area, Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership (HCP) found itself in the unique position of being able to make a difference to those in crisis or who were considering taking their own life.
Successfully securing suicide prevention funding from NHS England and Public Health England in May 2018, a three-year programme of work began. The programme, led by a multi-agency group, included suicide prevention leads from health, social care, primary care, and voluntary and community sector organisations.
An event highlighting the projects that came out of this funding and looking at ways in which partners can work together to reduce suicides in the area, was held last week to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day.
Some of the projects which have been successfully established as part of the three-year programme, include Safe Havens, evidence-based mental health awareness and suicide prevention training for non-mental health professionals, groups for those whose mental health has been impacted by drug and alcohol addiction and the suicide prevention website www.dearlife.org.uk.
The Dear Life website provides a range of support and signposting to vital services for anyone who is desperately seeking support for themselves or those who might be worried about a loved one or someone they know. There is a dedicated section for young people with links to support that they can access online or by telephone.
Warwickshire County Council and Coventry County Council have also funded a new service called Amparo, launched last week for anyone in Coventry or Warwickshire, which provides free and confidential support to those who have been bereaved or affected by suicide. Amparo can support anyone who has been affected, whether this is family members, friends, ‘finders’, work colleagues etc. and can be accessed by calling 0330 088 9255, by emailing amparo.service@listening-ear.co.uk or through an online referral form available at https://amparo.org.uk/refer/.
In 2019, the partnership launched the Stay Alive app, a free suicide prevention pocket resource designed to be a lifeline for people at risk of suicide, or for those concerned about the safety of someone. It contains local mental health and suicide prevention information all in one place, as well as customisable features like the LifeBox to store photos and memories and reasons for living. Designed for everyone, this is an easily accessible and supportive app aimed to keep minds at ease. Find out more about the Stay Alive app here: http://ow.ly/2hwM50vT4L8
Please consider sharing the links to the support mentioned above in your newsletters.
Further support
- Young people in Coventry and Warwickshire aged 11 to 25 years, can also access an anonymous online counselling and support service at Kooth.com. Throughout September, they are holding a number of events and activities.
- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258
- Chat Health is a free service that enables 11–18-year-olds across Coventry and Warwickshire to send confidential SMS text messages to School Nurses who will provide impartial advice and support. For Warwickshire, text 07507 331 525. For Coventry, text 07507 331 949.
- Coventry and Warwickshire Rise (Children and young people’s mental health service) Freephone 08081 966798 (select Option 2) - 24/7 service
If you believe or are concerned someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 999.