Local businesses to help break the suicide stigma
Business across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire will receive suicide prevention training.
Pubs, cafés and hairdressers will be among local businesses in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire to be trained to spot signs of suicidal thoughts.
The initiative sees the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership team up with mental health charity Mind to deliver suicide prevention training.
Ryan Nicholls, suicide prevention lead at the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership said: "That feeling of even mentioning the word suicide, it's big, it's got quite a lot of negative connotations. I'm wanting to change that - we're looking at bringing it out at the forefront because it's good to talk, it's right to talk."
The sessions delivered to businesses will be free, and train people to engage with people and offer them help if it seems like they need it.
Ryan Nicholls said: "There's huge place for your therapist, counselling and mental health support - but this is to make sure talking about suicide is everyone's business"
Participants will be encouraged to engage in empathetic conversations, and help guide people to local support services. The aim is to have a conversation around suicide and suicidal thoughts before people reach a crisis stage.
It's hoped that by reaching people earlier, the training can help ease pressure on the NHS.
If you, or someone you know is suffering with their mental health, or experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can speak to your GP. If someone's life is in danger - call 999 immediately.
You can also find help and advice from these services:
Hub of Hope - https://hubofhope.co.uk
Samaritans – Call 116123 - https://www.samaritans.org
Mind - 0300 123 3393 - https://www.mind.org.uk