Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has called on local people to sign up for free-to-access community suicide prevention talks and workshops ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday 10th September.
The training is available as part of our award-winning STOP Suicide campaign which is unique to our area and focuses on growing community awareness and knowledge of suicide prevention. The campaign is delivered by local mental health charity, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind.
We introduced STOP Suicide in response to the statistic that seventy percent of people who die by suicide in the UK have not been in contact with health services in the year before their death. The campaign seeks to empower ordinary people to spot warning signs in those around them – whether that’s a family member, colleague, neighbour or stranger – and start a potentially life-saving conversation about suicide.
This approach has been well-received by individuals and communities, building a community of practice – a true network of over 700 people and counting who are passionate about looking out for others in their daily lives. Everyone in our local communities is now being encouraged to join our free-to-access STOP Suicide talks and workshops to build collective knowledge and skills in supporting others.
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, says, “Cambridgeshire is a county full of compassion which I see on a daily basis. By accessing the support and expertise on offer, you can learn how to get through that difficult first step to start a conversation about how somebody is doing.”
“The STOP Suicide training will help and I would encourage everyone to get involved and use that resource because it could be any one of us who actually makes a difference to somebody’s life.”
Aly Anderson, Chief Executive at CPSL Mind, adds, “Suicide prevention is everybody’s business. We can all learn how to spot signs that someone might be having suicidal thoughts, to have open conversations and to help others to stay safe.”
But, Aly says, “supporting someone who is suicidal does not make you responsible for them long term. And looking after yourself is vital. We hope this training will take away fear and concerns that people have around talking openly about suicide.”
Find out more about our free-to-access STOP Suicide talks and workshops as well as wider campaign resources and videos at www.stopsuicidepledge.org