NHS staff suicide prevention campaign launches in Harrogate and West Yorkshire
The 'Check In' campaign is to coincide with Time to Talk day.
The NHS in Harrogate and West Yorkshire is launching a staff suicide prevention campaign.
The 'Check In' campaign's starting today - to coincide with 'Time to Talk' day - which aims to get people in the workplace talking about mental heatlh.
It's as figures from the Office for National Statistics show that Yorkshire and the Humber had the highest suicide rate in England over a three year period between 2017 and 2019.
There's also been a rise in suicides in Harrogate and West Yorkshire over the last three years.
The campaign, co-produced with people who have direct experience of suicide, has been created by staff coming together from NHS services, councils, Healthwatch and community groups, including the Samaritans.
As part of it, more than £1m funding from NHS England will be spent developing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub for staff in our area.
Rob Webster, CEO Lead for WY&H HCP said: "While people at risk of suicide may try to hide how they are feeling, they often give out warning signs, when at work. You might notice changes in their behaviour or be aware of events in their life that could be affecting them.
"Many of us may be unsure what to say, or how to approach the situation. By knowing what to look for, having the skills and confidence to have a conversation and provide support, you can make a huge difference to someone’s life. I’m urging everyone to get involved so they know the signs and how to respond"
Professor Brendan Brown, CEO for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Workforce Programme said: ‘Whether front-line, office, service or community, neighbourhood based, we all work incredibly hard to provide care and support to our communities, and this can take its toll.
"This campaign will help us work together to create a culture in which we acknowledge ourselves as people who also need care and support - where looking after ourselves and our colleagues is seen as a vital part of our role and responsibility in order to continue to provide the best health and care for everyone across West Yorkshire and Harrogate".