Safer Cornwall to stream virtual sessions every night this week to help reduce suicides
It is part of the 'Towards Zero' movement, started in America to engage with communities
A series of five online events have been planned as part of the ongoing drive to reduce the number of suicides in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where figures are consistently higher than the national average.
Called 'Towards Zero', they will be streamed on the Safer Cornwall Facebook page between Monday 8th and Friday 12th November at 7pm.
The ‘Towards Zero’ movement began in the USA as a way of talking to and engaging with communities to help to prevent suicides.
The event usually takes place face-to-face in venues across Cornwall but last year, for the first time, it was held virtually in the form of a summer school due to Covid-19 restrictions.
While life is now beginning to return to some kind of normality, it was felt that the safest option this year was to hold the event virtually once again.
What will the sessions cover?
Each of the five sessions, which tie in with this year’s theme of Hope Through Action, will be available to view after the event on the Council’s website.
• 8th November - Farming and Agriculture: What real life stories tell us about the emotional demands and needs of this profession.
• 9th November - Caring for Someone: The impact on mental wellbeing of looking after someone who has suicidal thoughts and the support that is available for carers.
•10th November - Social media and Suicide: A closer look at the evidence to explore the impact of what we see online and in the media.
• 11th November - How can I get involved in Suicide Prevention? Exploring practical, safe ways that can help everyone to be part of suicide prevention.
• 12th November - ‘Hope through Action’: A panel session with local suicide prevention innovation fund projects supporting our communities.
More information and details about how to watch the sessions can be found on the Safer Cornwall Facebook page.
Paula Chappell, Public Health Practitioner and suicide prevention lead in Cornwall’s Public Health team, said: "This is a hugely important issue and event and I would urge as many people as possible, whatever your age or background, to sign up and listen in.
"Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and has devastating consequences for families, friends and communities.
"This is why suicide prevention must remain a priority as life starts to return to normal and we all learn to live with Covid. We need to face it and talk about it together, and this is what the Towards Zero event helps us to do.
"This event is an opportunity to think about our own mental health and that of others, and the ways we can keep well and seek support when necessary".
Cllr Dr Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, added: "We are working towards real change in how we support people having suicidal thoughts, as well as those who have been bereaved by suicide.
"The stigma needs to be tackled so more people feel able to ask for help and access support, and events like Towards Zero play a vital role in that. I would encourage everyone to sign up for the sessions".
If you have any questions you would like answered around these subjects or suicide prevention work more generally, you can email suicideprevention@cornwall.gov.uk at any time.
For more on the help and support available, visit Cornwall Council’s ‘Feeling Suicidal?’ page.
The Council and local NHS recently launched the ‘Orange Button’ scheme which aims to make people who have received mental health and suicide prevention training more visible to those who need support.