Conference delegates were invited to suggest future ideas for suicide prevention work in Dumfries and Galloway. The following are the suggestions they proposed which fit neatly into one or more of Choose Life National Strategy objectives.

 

Objective 1: Early Prevention and Intervention:

Conference delegates felt that it was really important that future suicide prevention work is linked in with education and suggested drama workshops, peer education, training on suicide issues for all teachers and lecturers and training for trainers. Support with studying and exam stress was suggested to reduce risks. Training was a common theme with other suggestions including ongoing training for professionals and volunteers, compulsory training for General Practitioners (doctors) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for everyone. In addition to working with education, suggestions also included working with young people not in education, employment or training (NEET’s). Delegates suggested more funding for ChildLine and a funded Dumfries and Galloway helpline with paid workers. Other suggested settings for future preventative work included residential care, workplaces and developing links with the work of Building Healthy Communities in various areas of Dumfries and Galloway.

 

Objective 2: Responding to Immediate Crisis:

There was concern about the shortage of skilled counsellors and the lack of clarity on who provides the next steps after being supported by someone trained in ASIST. Suggestions included innovatively increasing service provision and more immediate

Dorothy Robertson reports on CHOOSE LIFE CONFERENCE

attention for those in need of urgent help.

 

Objective 3: Longer-Term Work to Provide Hope and Support Recovery:

Delegates highlighted the importance of self-help, self-help groups and other group work in the recovery process. They felt it was important to provide emotional support for those with long-term illnesses and also stressed the importance of family and community support.

 

Objective 4: Coping with Suicidal Behaviour and Completed Suicide:

Delegates suggested launching a campaign to decriminalise attempted suicide, provision of a local helpline for those affected by a completed suicide and guidelines on supporting those affected by attempted or completed suicide.

 

Objective 5: Promoting Greater Public Awareness and Encouraging People to Seek Help Early:

A “make suicide history” concert with follow-up activity was suggested, raising awareness of suicide issues in the elderly and work to eliminate the stigma of suicide, with the equivalent of the ‘see me’ campaign. Other suggested settings for work to promote greater public awareness included swimming pools, cinemas, GP surgeries and other social settings. Delegates suggested more networking events, awareness raising with parents and carers and work with prisons to raise awareness of suicide. A higher profile for health and well-being issues and sharing of resources were also suggested. A local helpline with

Training and education is key

PAPYRUS Southern Group Meeting

 

The next meeting will be held on Saturday the 1st April at the National Theatre, South Bank, London at 11am.  We meet informally in the main sitting area.

 

Any members who wish to further the aims of PAPYRUS, particularly with an aim to fundraising and publicity please join us, we would be delighted to see you.

 

For further information please contact Angela Robinson or Nicki Ray via the PAPYRUS office. 

Support in the heart of England

 

The Brimingham Support Day for those bereaved by suicide will take place on Saturday 1 April. Contact John Peters on 01827 830679 or john@johnpeters.freeserve.co.uk

 

The S.O.B.S. National Helpline is on 0870 241 3337 and is open from 9am - 9pm every day.

Nicky Ray       Angela Robinson

paid, rather than volunteer workers, was suggested to encourage people to seek help early.

 

Objective 6: Supporting the Media:

Conference delegates suggested further research into the impact of media reports and suggested guidelines for media reporting.

 

Objective 7: Knowing What Works:

Delegates felt it was important that the lessons of the conference were disseminated to all interested parties.