The South Eastern HSC Trust is supporting the ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ Suicide Awareness campaign, which runs from 10 September – 10 October each year. The campaign focuses its attention on improving mental health, reducing stigma around suicide and raising awareness of the very important message; SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTED.
This year’s theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ and is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide. No matter how big or small our own individual roles, we can provide care and support to those who are struggling. The South Eastern Trust was the first Trust to become an active participant in the ‘Towards Zero Suicide’ regional project, which aims to prevent suicide across Northern Ireland. This initiative works with Adult Mental Health Teams and Healthcare in Prison staff, using lived and learned experience alongside the most relevant evidence based research and practice to improve the experience of service users, creating a care pathway journey that aims to develop a network of safety for people struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Towards Zero Suicide Peer Tutor, Alan Dagg knows the value of this project and said, “As a person with lived experience, this training has inspired hope in me and has improved my confidence and competence in supporting others in crisis.”
Peer Support Worker, Fiona O’Kane believes that we can all make a difference to someone in crisis, she explained, “We all have a part to play, sometimes people who are having suicidal thoughts do not have the power or ability to reach out. If someone tells you that they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, always take them seriously.
“You do not have to be an expert; all you have to do is listen and be non-judgemental. Show the person reaching out compassion and empathy to help them understand that there is always help and always hope. ”
Towards Suicide Training is available to everyone, you can access training through the Zero Suicide Alliance by visiting: www.zerosuicidealliance.com
The Trust’s Recovery College runs a variety of free educational training courses on mental health and recovery through the year, these courses can be accessed on the Recovery College page on the Trust’s Website: www.setrust.hscni.net