Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has launched a comprehensive programme which aims to change the narrative on suicide.
The action plan is aligned with eight strategic priorities, initially focusing on targeted support for vulnerable groups, addressing common risk factors and enhancing crisis support.
It seeks to shift the public’s understanding of suicide – encouraging individuals, communities and organisations to engage in meaningful, honest and empathetic conversations about suicide.
By promoting open dialogue, the Partnership hopes to break down the stigma surrounding suicide and inspire positive change in how society addresses this critical issue.
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, Ryan Nicholls, Suicide Prevention Programme Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, emphasised that the importance of the action plan.
He said: “Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.
“The call to action this World Suicide Prevention Day encourages everyone to start the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention. Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society.
“By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create a better culture of support. Anyone can suffer from suicidal thoughts, but every one of us can make a difference.”
According to data compiled by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Humber and North Yorkshire collectively have rates of suicide above the England average.
Measures adopted by the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to tackle suicide include:
Tailored support for at-risk groups
- Men’s Mental Health: In late-2023, partnered with MIND to provide suicide prevention training for barbers, gym staff and taxi drivers – both in-person and virtually.
- Women’s Health: supported the formation of a Women’s Health and Suicide Prevention subgroup focusing on suicide and self-harm prevention specific to women.
- University Support: Collaborated with Universities UK to implement “Suicide-safer Universities” guidance, improving crisis communication and benchmarking best practices across institutions.
Addressing Population-Level Risk Factors
- Primary Care Integration: Empowered a Long-Term Health (LTH) subgroup to improve collaboration on health conditions linked to suicide risk.
- Gambling-Related Harms: Initiated conversations to partner with a national charity to pilot community workshops on gambling harms.
- Social Prescribing for Loneliness: Created opportunities to launch a pilot with CAHMS to connect social prescribing with crisis prevention for young people.
Effective Crisis Support Across Sectors
- NHS Crisis Team: Ensuring urgent mental health support is available via NHS 111.
- Workforce Mental Health: Partnering with Football Associations and professional and semi-professional sports Clubs to boost mental health awareness in male-dominated sectors.
- Data-driven Insights: Using Mental Health Liaison data to track trends and patterns in self-harm, suicide ideation and attempts to provide evidence for an action-focused lense
Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has also developed the Talk Suicide campaign to reduce the stigma around talking about suicide by raising awareness of free training.
The Zero Suicide Alliance training has already been offered to thousands of people from all walks of life. More information is available at talksuicide.co.uk.