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Wolverhampton Information Network

Suicide Awareness & Support

In England, one person dies every two hours as a result of suicide. When someone takes their own life, the effect on their family and friends is devastating. Many people – friends, family, professionals, colleagues and wider society will feel the impact.

Information on this page can help identifying the issue, how to spot signs that someone needs support, what support is available locally and what we can all do to make a difference.



Thinking about suicide?

1. Wait. Decide not to do anything right now to hurt yourself. You do not have to act on your thoughts of suicide. Suicidal behaviour is an attempt to solve what feels like an overwhelming set of problems. When we are struggling to cope, our mind closes down on creativity and our problem solving skills become much more limited. Your thoughts and feelings CAN change.

2. Talk to someone; it could be a friend or family member, or a support service of some kind. There are people who want to listen and who can help you If you are feeling suicidal, there are people you can talk to:

  • speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
  • call the Samaritans 24-hour support service on tel: 116 123
  • go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling
  • contact NHS 111 or visit NHS choices
  • make an urgent appointment to see your GP

4. If talking is difficult, please contact Wolverhampton Samaritans. Someone who wants to help you is just a click away.

5. Try to keep yourself safe for now; Practical things you can do in a crisis.

6. Spend some time thinking about what your reasons for living might be.

For further help and advice please visit support you can get in a crisis.

Worried about someone else?

  • Be alert - Not everyone who thinks about suicide will tell someone, but there may be warning signs.
  • Be honest - Tell the person why you're worried about them, and ask about suicide. Tell them you want to know how they really are, and that it's OK to talk about suicide.
  • Listen - Just listening is one of the most helpful things you can do. Try not to judge or give advice.
  • Get them some help - It's OK if you don't know how; the ideas on this web page can get you started.
  • Take care of yourself - You may find it helpful to discuss your feelings with another friend, or a confidential service.

For more information about how to talk to someone you are worried about see Conversation starters.

Spotting the signs

If you're worried about someone, try to get them to talk to you. Ask open-ended questions like: "How do you feel about...?"

Don't worry about having the answers. Just listening to what someone has to say and taking it seriously can be more helpful.

See Samaritans' tips on how to start a difficult conversation.

Rethink also has advice on how to support someone who is having suicidal thoughts.

Suicide prevention training

We need to talk about suicide elearning programme - PHE/ Health Education England.

Developed by a range of experts including those with experience of attempted suicide and those bereaved by suicide, the purpose of the programme is to support the ambition of reducing the stigma associated with suicide, to help everyone see that simply asking someone how they are and talking about suicide can really help. The programme supports learning and development in suicide competence at level one.

The programme is based on four storylines of people who are at increased risk of dying by suicide. During these four scenarios the learner will have the opportunity to reflect on their learning.

Intended Audience:

  • Non-mental health practitioners
  • Anyone working with the public across a wide range of settings.
  • Anyone in a volunteering role with contact with the public.
  • Administrative and support staff in health and care across a range of settings such as primary care, acute and supported living settings.
  • Administrative and support staff in other public-sector settings such as local authorities and the voluntary sector.
  • Public health/health promotion staff across all sectors including local authorities, NHS and primary care.

Duration - 60 minutes. The learner will be able to complete the entire programme at once or complete at their own pace in smaller sections. There is no formal assessment but the learner is encouraged to stop and reflect on the learning as they progress through the course and can print out a certificate on completion of the course as evidence of professional development.

Access via e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) on the e-LfH Hub: Register for an account or log-in to your existing account at: https://portal.elfh.org.uk/Component/Details/544927 (view PDF in downloads for more information)


Mental Health


Offers easy ways to help keep people safer from thoughts of harm and suicide, seek support and discover hope of recovery through powerful videos from people with personal experience. 

The website provides vital ‘Safety Plan' guidance tools jointly funded by NHS England, with easy to print / online templates and guidance video tutorials purposefully designed to help people through the process of writing their own Safety Plan. A Safety Plan helps to build hope, identify actions and strategies to resist suicidal thoughts and develop positive ways to cope with stress and emotional distress.

Offers resources for professionals from all sectors and for the general public. Resources can be accessed at any time. Access via: www.StayingSafe.net (see PDF in downloads section for more information)


Zero Suicide Training Alliance

The aims of this training is to enable people to identify when someone is presenting with suicidal thoughts/behaviour, to be able to speak out in a supportive manner, and to empower them to signpost the individual to the correct services or support. Offers training for professionals from all sectors and for the general public; Duration 20 minutes. Access via https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/training/


Public Health England has published a new resource to assist local organisations to prevent linked suicides in their areas often referred to as 'suicide clusters' https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/suicide-prevention-identifying-and-responding-to-suicide-clusters

Support services

Here you can find a list of local support services available.

Bereaved by suicide

You are not alone: help is at hand for anyone bereaved by suicide

People who have been bereaved by suicide have used their experiences to lead the revision of a support guide to help others affected by someone taking their own life.

'Help is at Hand' provides people affected by suicide with both emotional and practical support. Suicide has far-reaching effects among friends, family, colleagues and the wider community. Those bereaved by a suicide are at increased risk of mental health and emotional problems and may be at higher risk of suicide themselves, so receiving the right support is essential.

For the first time individuals who have been bereaved by suicide have been the principal authors of the guide, with support from experts at Public Health England and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance. By giving editorial control to individuals with experience of bereavement for the first time it is hoped the updated 'Help is at Hand' will provide more relevant and personal guidance to others in this traumatic situation.

Download Help is at Hand - support after someone may have died by suicide.

For more information please visit the services below:

Kaleidoscope Plus Group (KPG)

Providing suicide specific support groups - open to anyone who has been bereaved by suicide to come together and talk openly about their experiences. Groups are facilitated by trained professionals who bring with them skills and knowledge around coping with grief, loss and bereavement. 

Compton Care Bereavement Hub 

These Bereavement Information Hubs are an informal, friendly place to meet and talk to others who have experienced loss and grief. 

Local action in Wolverhampton

 

Please find information on this page to help with identifying the issue, how to spot signs that someone needs support, what support is available locally and what we can all do to make a difference.

The City of Wolverhampton takes suicide prevention very seriously.  In 2015, a multi-agency, city wide forum was established to galvanise efforts across various organisations and people. The Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum aims to coordinate action to raise awareness of suicide through the suicide prevention strategy and action plan. 

Here you can learn more about the work of the Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum including the suicide prevention strategy and action plan.

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