Warwickshire County Council marks World Suicide Prevention Day

Health and social care partners across Coventry and Warwickshire are marking World Suicide Prevention Day today (Thursday September 10) as part of the Wellbeing for Life Festival.
The Dear Life website posterThe Dear Life website poster
The Dear Life website poster

They will join global organisations and communities who use the day to come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

Suicide prevention charities It Takes Balls to Talk and Cameron Grant Memorial Trust, as well as an introduction to the day from the lead clinician for risk and suicide prevention at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) can be found online at https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/virtual-wellbeing-festival.

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The coronavirus pandemic has had a negative effect on people’s mental health.

It has led to isolation, fear, loneliness and uncertainty for many, and for some, the difficulties they have faced have led to thoughts about taking their own life.

For anyone struggling with the demands of life or finding things particularly hard during the pandemic, help is available.

Coventry and Warwickshire local authorities and health services have developed a new suicide prevention website, www.dearlife.org.uk.

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The site provides a range of support and signposting to vital services for residents who are desperately seeking support for themselves or anyone who is worried about a loved one or someone they know.

Anne Prendergast, lead officer for clinical risk and suicide prevention at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for local communities, including the NHS and local authorities, to come together to raise awareness of suicide, the support that is out there, and to encourage people to talk about their feelings.

“If you or someone close to you has had thoughts of suicide, hopefully these events, and the new suicide prevention site, will give you plenty of information of where you can access the support and help you might need.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Les Caborn, portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Every death by suicide is a tragedy and impacts families, friends and the wider community.

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"Our support for World Suicide Prevention Day is a part of the council’s ongoing commitment to working with our partners to reducing the numbers of people who die by suicide in our communities and providing better support for those bereaved by suicide.

"The Dear Life website is a really positive development to our suicide prevention work.

"It provides residents with advice on a topic that many find difficult to approach. I urge everyone to visit the site, learn more about the subject and share it widely among their community.”

If you are struggling to cope, call The Samaritans for free at any time, from any phone on 116 123.

If you have seriously harmed yourself, call 999 or ask someone to call 999 for you.