Suicide Prevention
Healthwatch South Gloucestershire is promoting the WAIT suicide prevention campaign. The WAIT campaign is a national project; a number of smaller suicide prevention projects will be commissioned later in the year.
The advice ‘WAIT’ is one good way to remember how you can support another person who may be suicidal. It stands for:
Watch out for signs of distress and uncharacteristic behaviour
- e.g. social withdrawal, excessive quietness, irritability, uncharacteristic outburst, talking about death or suicide
Ask “are you having suicidal thoughts?”
- Asking about suicide does not encourage it, nor does it lead a person to start thinking about it; in fact it may help prevent it, and can start a potentially life-saving conversation
It will pass – assure your loved one that, with help, their suicidal feelings will pass with time
Talk to others – encourage your loved one to seek help from a GP or health professional
“We are really pleased to be supporting local efforts by groups that are leading the fight to prevent suicide and self-harm across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, where we know a small amount of seed funding can make a bigger difference to people who know their communities well and what is needed.
“I am hopeful that as part of a wider campaign launching later this year, we will be able to enable more initiatives to flourish and support a wider regional ambition to reduce the number of people taking their own lives. One life lost is one too many, and there is plenty for us all to do to ensure people know there is support available out there.
“If you are interested in getting involved in the campaign that will launch in November, do send an email to engagement@imhn.org.”
Prevention is something that we can all individually help with. You have all the experience you need to help save a life.
This is the main message of the Samaritan's Save A Life Campaign:
A short conversation with another person can sometimes be enough to make the difference between life and death for them.
Other sources of help include:
- Samaritans offer a 24-hours a day, 7 days a week support service. Call them FREE on 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org
- Papyrus is a dedicated service for people up to the age of 35 who are worried about how they are feeling or anyone concerned about a young person. You can call the HOPElineUK number on 0800 068 4141, text 07786 209697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
- NHS Choices: 24-hour national helpline providing health advice and information. Call them free on 111.
- C.A.L.M.: National helpline for men to talk about any troubles they are feeling. Call 0800 58 58 58.
- Support After Suicide Partnership offers practical and emotional support on their website for people bereaved and affected by suicide.
For more information please get in touch by emailing contact@healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk or text/phone on 07944 373235
