Herts charity welcomes council scheme to support those affected by suicide
The scheme will see agencies working together to create a proactive approach to support
A new Befriending Service has been launched by Hertfordshire County Council to provide immediate support for individuals who present at the hospital following a suicide attempt or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The service, delivered by the charity Mind in Mid Herts, is part of a broader initiative to enhance mental health support in the county.
In 2023, Hertfordshire recorded 460 suicide attempts, according to surveillance data that only includes incidents reported to the police.
The new service aims to intervene early and prevent repeat attempts, which are a significant concern in the county.
Sharn Tomlinson, CEO of Mind in Mid Herts, said: "People who have tried to take their own life—over a third of them have had a previous attempt."
"If we could reach those people on the first symptom or when they're thinking about it, we could prevent that second attempt that could be more serious."
The Befriending Service, funded by Hertfordshire County Council’s Public Health budget, will operate within Lister Hospital’s accident and emergency department.
It will offer follow-up support through volunteers, referred to as "buddies," who are trained to provide both emotional and practical assistance.
"The buddies will support individuals with suicidal thoughts or those who have attempted to take their own life and really make sure that they get the help and support they need," said Ms Tomlinson.
Morris Bright MBE, Hertfordshire County Council’s Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety, said: "Having lost a friend to suicide in recent years, I know what a tragedy it is and the devastating impact it has on families, friends, colleagues, first responders, and the wider community."
The service is designed to be easily accessible. Individuals can be referred by hospital staff or a GP, but they can also self-refer.
The service is set to offer a collaborative approach, which involves working with other charities and agencies to address the various needs of those at risk.
Ms Tomlinson said: "It could be that they need practical support alongside, and actually to have a buddy that will go along and hold, you know, not hold their hand but just be a bit of moral support, could really make a difference."
This initiative builds on the work already being done by Mind in Mid Herts, which includes services like Togetherall, an online platform offering 24/7 support for individuals struggling with their mental health.
You can find support on the charity's website.