More to be done in North Yorkshire to remove stigma around suicide
Free training is being delivered by mental health charity Mind
More is set to be done in North Yorkshire to remove the stigma around suicide.
Free training, delivered by local mental health charity Mind, will help people spot the signs of suicidal thoughts and get people talking.
They have been going round giving free sessions to local businesses like barbers, cafes and restaurant staff.
Ryan Nicholls is from the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and said we can change attitudes around suicide: "That feeling of even mentioning the word suicide is big. It's got a lot of negative connotations but we're wanting to try and change that. We're looking to bring it out in the forefront that it's actually good and right to talk.
"Local businesses can help start a conversation around mental health. There's a huge place for your therapist, your counselling, your mental health support and there's no disregarding that but it's to make sure that it's everyone's business.
"It's just having that awareness of has something changed with those individuals? Your customers? Your regular clients? And if so, can we have the confidence and recognise those to just talk a bit more about their emotional wellbeing and their mental health.
"If we're prompted to talk about suicide then we can then help others too. How does that make me feel? I'm actually more open and I can talk a bit more and actually, do I take that back to my home life or social life? And do I then check on with my peers etc, so there's a real nice positive domino effect of prevention."
To find out your local mental health support charities and groups, visit the Hub of Hope.