Suicide

Almost 6,000 people in the UK ended their lives by suicide in 2017 and suicide is higher in men than women, with around three times as many men dying as a result of suicide compared to women (Office of National Statistics).

 

Suffolk's Suicide Prevention Strategy

In Suffolk, around 60 people each year take their own life.

‘Suffolk Lives Matter’ is the name of Suffolk’s Suicide Prevention Strategy which was launched at the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Annual Conference in October 2016.  It has 5 themes:

  1. Reducing Suicide Risk

  2. Supporting People at Greatest Risk

  3. Taking Action Together

  4. Improving How We Collect and Interpret Information

  5. Working with People in Suffolk

There are many factors which increase an individual’s risk of suicide these include: a history of self-harm; trauma in childhood; being in contact with the criminal justice system; drug and alcohol misuse; unemployment and/or socioeconomic deprivation; being in contact with mental health services; being male; being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and certain occupations (nurses, doctors, farmers/ agricultural workers, veterinary workers and builders).

For more information about Suffolk Lives Matter and further support, please visit the Healthy Suffolk website

 

Amparo Suffolk

Suffolk’s Suicide Prevention Steering Group launched the new countywide suicide liaison service, Amparo Suffolk, in September 2018 to coincide in with World Suicide Prevention Day.

The AMPARO service, is operated by Listening Ear, and works in close partnership with the Police, Coroner Service and other partners, to offer support following notification of a suspected suicide, including one-to-one individual support, practical help and signposting to local services that can help.

Individuals can self-refer to Amparo Suffolk or be referred by a professional on their behalf.

Amparo Suffolk can offer support following a suicide in a range of ways, including:

  • One to one individual support

  • Help with any media enquiries

  • Practical support when dealing with the Police or Coroner

  • Help overcoming feelings of isolation

  • Putting you in touch with local services that can help

Amparo Suffolk can be contacted on 0330 088 9255, email: Amparo.service@listening-ear.co.uk or more information can be found on the Amparo website.

 

Stay Alive App

Working in partnership with NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, and the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust, the Suffolk User Forum (SUF) has launched the Stay Alive suicide prevention app (developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention charity).

The downloadable tool has many helpful features including areas which can be adapted by the users to suit their personal needs including access to local and national helplines and crisis services, a safety plan and other general resources.

The app is available free of charge on the App store (iPhone) and Google Play (for Android).

More information about the app can be viewed on the Grassroots Preventing Suicide Together website.

 

Resources

 

National and Local Organisations that can help