Suicide Safer Action groups launch in Cumbria
'Every Life Matters' will be starting a series of groups across Cumbria, aiming to bring together people who want to make a difference to suicide rates.
This week, 'Every Life Matters' will be launching a series of local action groups across Cumbria, in Copeland and Carlisle, aiming to bring together people who want to make a difference to suicide rates.
The first two groups will be starting in Carlisle and Allerdale, with further launches across the rest of the county in 2022.
Chris Wood, Charity Manager at Every Life Matters, a Cumbrian Suicide Prevention and Suicide Bereavement Support charity, said;
“Most people have been touched by suicide in their lives, whether that be through the death of a family member, friend, colleague, neighbour. It is a particularly traumatic form of loss and ripples right out across our communities.
"Since starting our charity two years ago, we have met so many people who want to do something about the issue, but often don’t know where to start. But there are actions we can all take to make a difference, whether large or small.
"Suicide is a complex issue and there is no easy fix. To reduce suicides we need to break down the stigma around mental health and make reaching out for support at a time of crisis a normal thing to do – most people dying by suicide do not reach out for help. We need the community around that individual to better understand suicide, be able to talk openly about the issue and to understand that everyone can play a role in supporting someone at risk.
"We need safer services, which are accessible, compassionate and effective. And we need to ensure that there is support in place for all those bereaved or impacted by suicide.”
These launch meetings are for anyone in the Carlisle community who wants to make a difference about suicide, and an opportunity to;
Learn more about suicide and its impact in Cumbria
Some of the myths and facts about suicide and suicide prevention
Find out what we can all do to play a part in preventing suicides
Here from people who have already taken action in their local community
Meet others in Carlisle who are keen to take action and make a difference
Begin to plan a range of suicide prevention activity in your local area
People are encouraged to bring their ideas, their enthusiasm and the hope that they can make a difference.
A number of local guest speakers will also talk at the events about action they have taken against suicide, including Ben Snowdon - Chief Executive Officer of Cumberland Football Association, Lisa Birdsall – Health and Wellbeing Champion at Cumberland Building Society, Jenna Sutherland – Project Development Manager at iCan Health and Fitness, Alison Oglanby – Maryport Mental Health Campaigner, Emma Gooch – Co-founder CHICCSChildren in Crisis Cumbria Support, John Brown of Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbnria and others.
Lisa Birdsall said:
“An event and action group like this is so important as it solidifies a real focus on the subject in the community. It also gives a level of solidarity to families who have sadly lost a loved one to suicide in the hopes that they can feel less alone especially when navigating those early really dark days in the aftermath of acompleted suicide.
"I think to effect even more change in our communities we need to get more businesses and employers on board, with ideas to support their staff through suicide awareness and prevention. I work for the Cumberland Building Society, and this is something I’ve been tasked with as part of the values we want to deliver as a MH team. I am in the process of putting together training material, to enable people managers to have more confidence when broached with the difficult subject of suicide. Hopefully by delivering this in the new year we can get across thattalking about suicide can be a proven life saver.”
Ben Snowdon of Cumberland FA said:
“We are pleased to be supporting Every Life Matters Cumbria at their upcoming Safer Copeland event. As an organisation we are acutely aware that a large percentage of ourmembers may be impacted by this issue and therefore have worked in partnership with Every Life Matters – Cumbria to try and raise awareness within our clubs and leagues of the fact that talking about suicide can save lives and that its ok to reach out and ask for help.”
John Brown, of Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbria, said:
“We welcome the development of the Suicide Safer Communities across Cumbria. Any loss of life through suicide has an utterly devastating effect on families, friends and communities. It is vital that local people develop the confidence to say to someone they are concerned about ‘are you ok’ this can literally save a life. This initiative can help people to develop that confidence”.
Above contributors are available for interview before and at the events. Lisa Birdstall
In 2020 70 people died by suicide in Cumbria. Our suicide rates have remained stubbornly higher than the national average. Every suicide is an individual tragedy, affecting a number of people directly and often many, many others indirectly. The impact of suicide can be devastating –psychologically, emotionally and economically –for all those affected.
Around three quarters of people who die by suicide in England are not in contact with any mental health services in the year leading up to their death, meaning suicide prevention needs to be community wide concern. It needs to be everyone’s business. It is friends, family, work colleagues, neighbours and our network of community and voluntary organisations - not just those in mental health services - who have an important part to play in saving lives.
This event is free to attend and refreshments provided. To help manage numbers, please register on Eventbrite
Carlisle – Tuesday 7th Dec 6:30-8:30 Carlisle Cathedral
Suicide Safer Carlisle Action Group Tickets, Tue 7 Dec 2021 at 18:30 | Eventbrite
Copeland - Thursday 9th Dec 6:30-8:30 Whitehaven AFC
Suicide Safer Copeland Action Group Tickets, Thu 9 Dec 2021 at 18:30 | Eventbrite
For those who cant attend there will be live-streaming of the event on Facebook and Zoom. See their social media for details. Future meetings will be held on a regular basis - watch their social media for more details or subscribe to the newsletter https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/
Support
For more information about where to get help when you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or how you can support someone at risk, visit https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/find-support/
If you are having thoughts of suicide, or have been affected by this article, support is available at;
North Cumbria NHS Universal Mental Health Crisis Line 0800 652 2865 open 24 hrs a day/7 days a week
South Cumbria NHS Urgent Mental Health Support Line 0800 953 0110 open 24 hrs a day/7 days a week
Samaritans – Call 116 123 – There round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
PAPYRUS – Call 0800 068 41 41 – 9am to midnight. Support line for young people at risk of suicide.
CALM – Call 0800 58 58 58. Men’s Helpline open 5pm – Midnight
Shout Crisis Text Service – Text Shout to 85258 to get 24/7 text support
Young Minds Crisis Text Service – Text YM to 85258 to get instant support
MindLine Cumbria – 0300 561 0000 Mental health information, guidance and support.