A BOLD strategy has been launched in Warrington to tackle suicide.

A partnership of organisations from across the town and wider region are working together with the aim of No More Suicide.

The focus is not just on reducing suicide, but eliminating it completely.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin is cabinet member for health at Warrington Borough Council and explains what the strategy is and why the goal is so ambitious.

Who is involved?

A wide range of voluntary and statutory organisations across the region are involved, these include: local authority public health teams across Cheshire and Merseyside, Public Health England, the NHS, The NW ambulance services, the Police, clinical commissioning groups and NHS mental health trusts across the region, the North West Coast Strategic Clinical Network, Cheshire and Merseyside Intelligence Network, Fire and Rescue Services, Prison Service, PAPYRUS, Samaritans and SOBS, as well as other third sector providers.

The strapline line is ‘no more suicides’. Is that realistic?

The “No More Suicide” statement was adopted to emphasise that any number of suicides is unacceptable. The focus is not on reducing suicide by a certain percentage, but on eliminating suicide.

Zero suicide is the ambition. The aim is to emphasise that suicide is preventable and to change behaviour and cultural attitudes to suicide. The vision is to make Cheshire and Merseyside a region where people don’t consider suicide as a solution to the difficulties they face.

Why is there a Cheshire/Merseyside response rather than just Warrington?

There is a Cheshire and Merseyside response as a number of public health priorities are shared across the region and progress can be best made through collective action.

Champs (a collaborative of the nine Local Authority Directors of Public Health in Cheshire and Merseyside and their teams) tackles a number of priorities, agreed with Public Health England and NHS England.

Suicide prevention is one of the key priorities chosen for collective action across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Can you tell us about the strategy and how it came about?

Since suicide prevention was identified as a priority, Champs has been working with partners across the nine local authorities to develop, update and implement the No More Zero Suicide Strategy, which raise awareness of suicide and create the momentum for change.

The aims of the strategy are underpinned by four key objectives:

  • Cheshire and Merseyside becomes a Suicide Safer Community.
  • The Health Care System transforms care to eliminate suicide for patients.
  • Support is accessible for those who are exposed to suicide.
  • A strong, integrated Suicide Prevention Network provides oversight and governance.
  • How does Warrington compare with other areas locally and across the country?

The ONS 2018 suicide figures for the UK show an overall increase in the number of suicides. However, in Cheshire and Merseyside the number of deaths by suicide and undetermined injury fell to 205 in 2018.

This is a 10 per cent decrease on 2017, and the lowest total in the sub region since 2011.

Warrington’s rate of 7.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2016-18 was the second lowest in the north west and in the 10% lowest upper tier authorities in England.

What are the next steps?

Some areas of work are ongoing, such as:

  • The commissioning of the AMPARO service, which provides support following a suicide.
  • Suicide prevention training
  • Work focussing on middle aged men and suicide prevention
  • Supporting World Suicide Prevention Day
  • The Cheshire and Merseyside Mental Health Trusts continuing their progress implementing the Safer Care Standards, identified in the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicides and Homicides in mental health care, (NCISH)
  • Implementation and monitoring of the NO MORE Strategy

Planned developments include:

  • Investing in suicide prevention and self-harm training
  • Commissioning suicide bereavement services
  • Updating the No MORE Strategy ensuring it reflects the current times around Covid-19
  • Development of a quality kitemark for local mental health services
  • “Hope and recovery in the time of COVID”, an online suicide prevention conference in September

Has coronavirus lead to a spike in suicide as people have been speculating?

A Covid-19 briefing from Samaritans in May states there is currently no evidence of a rise in suicide rates and due to the risks associated with media coverage of suicide, it’s important that we discourage media from leading on the narrative that this is an inevitable outcome.

Rather than focusing on suicide, Samaritans asks that the media’s focus is on encouraging people to look after their mental health and wellbeing and to seek support if they need it.

This is because research shows positive stories of recovery can encourage vulnerable people to seek help.

Real time surveillance data shows that there were fewer deaths by suspected suicide in Warrington this year, compared to the same time period last year.

Who can I speak to if I have been affected by the issues in this article or have worries about someone?

If you have been bereaved by suicide you can speak to:

• AMPARO – this service provides support to people bereaved or affected by suicide and links them to local services.

• SOBS – (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) a national self-help charity, with a helpline and a network of local groups.

• The Support After Suicide Partnership, also has useful information which can be read online, or downloaded.

• happyoksad.org.uk (a mental health site for people who live or work in Warrington) has a comprehensive section on bereavement services, many of which have helplines.

If you are worried about someone else and think they might be feeling suicidal, you can speak to:

• The person you’re worried about themselves – Although this can be a difficult conversation, it’s an important conversation to have. PAPYRUS’ and Samaritans’ websites, both have information about how to have a conversation with someone you’re worried about. The Zero Suicide Alliance has two free online modules, which aim to give people the confidence to have a conversation about suicide, with someone they’re worried about.

• NWBH’s Mental Health Crisis Line 0800 051 1508. This is for people living in Warrington Halton, Knowsley or St Helens, who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The crisis line is for people of all ages and is open 24/7. Friends and family members of someone experiencing a mental health crisis, can also ring for advice. For more details visit NWBH’s website.

• PAPYRUS – HOPELINE is for people under 35 who are feeling suicidal; and for people concerned that a young person might be feeling suicidal.

If you are feeling suicidal yourself, you can speak to:

• Your GP

• The local Mental Health Crisis Line (see above for more details)

• If it’s a life-threatening emergency and you need immediate help for your mental or physical health call 999 or go to A&E.

The site happyoksad.org.uk has a page If you need help right now, which explains these services in more detail.