Zero Suicide commitment in Coventry and Warwickshire
NHS mental health experts are committed to a new ‘Zero Suicide’ ambition, as World Suicide Prevention Day 2017 is marked.
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust is committed to joining the worldwide Zero Suicide initiative.
Anne Prendergast, Lead for Clinical Risk and Suicide Prevention at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We know that there may be many reasons someone might find themselves facing mental distress. Sometimes it can help just to make a call and talk your feelings through with someone.
“Our Trust can provide people with help once they have been referred by their GP, or they can call our Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service themselves on 024 7667 1090.”
To mark the Trust’s commitment to the Zero Suicide initiative, it has been working with Public Health Coventry, Public Health Warwickshire, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, Samaritans and Unite the Union, on the campaign ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’, which is specifically designed to raise awareness of men’s mental health across the area.
On Friday 8 September the Trust joined members of the ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ campaign and the Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey team to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. They were also joined by MP for Coventry North East Colleen Fletcher, who is a supporter of the campaign.
Colleen said: "It is a sad and tragic fact that 6,000 people, the majority of which are men, take their lives each year in the UK. Often they do this because they feel isolated and alone. That is why campaigns such as 'It Takes Balls to Talk' are so important; this campaign highlights the importance of talking about our worries and concerns and asks others to reach out to those who we think may be having a tough time.
"It is great that key sporting organisations such as Coventry Blaze, CCFC and Wasps are supporting this initiative and I hope it goes some way to tackling this issue."
Anyone needing help with their mental health should firstly see their GP. In an emergency, or anytime when your doctor’s surgery is closed and you are experiencing mental distress, you can call other organisations for help:
National charity Mental Health Matters runs a confidential advice line 365 days a year, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The number to call is 0800 616 171.
The Samaritans provide confidential, caring emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who have feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Call the national helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 116 123 or phone Coventry and Warwickshire Samaritans helpline on 024 7667 8678.