World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10 every year, is a platform to raise awareness of suicide, bring people together to share hope and to promote preventative measures to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally. The theme for 2023 is Creating Hope Through Action.
To mark the day, we lit up our headquarters, The Curve, orange to show our support for suicide prevention, to remember a loved one and for the survivors of suicide.
The GMMH Recovery Academy students are also proudly sharing letters and messages of hope, with the aim of raising awareness around suicide prevention, spreading hope, and providing a source of light for those who may need it. Read them here: World Suicide Prevention Day 2023: Messages of Hope | News and Events | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)
On Sunday 3 September, Wigan staff, jointly with Wigan Council Health and Social Care, ran the Wigan 10k! Proceeds from the run go towards Joining Jack a charity in the fight to find a treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. There were six runners from GMMH’s Wigan team and staff were also at the event on the day with a gazebo providing health information and materials to promote GMMH’s and Wigan Council’s services as well as promoting the ‘Shining a Light on Suicide’ campaign and raising funds for Wigan Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) and Wigan Samaritans.
On Friday 8 September, we hosted a stall at The Curve in Prestwich to promote the Recovery Academy and everything we offer. The stall also offered information on local services that offer crisis support and other events taking place across Greater Manchester to Mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
'Bricks of Hope' on the Recovery Academy stall
We also hosted a ‘Walk of Hope’ around the Prestwich site on Friday 8 September, following the Green Health Walk. It is a short walk, taking on average around 30 minutes to complete.
'Walk of Hope' around the Prestwich site
GM Integrated Care Partnership held a free Greater Manchester ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ virtual event on Friday 8 September. The session featured guest speakers and aimed to inspire and motivate attendees to do what they can to prevent suicide.
The Lowry Unit held a number of activities to promote Suicide Prevention Day. Involving service users and carers, staff from Delaney and Isherwood wards delivered a mindfulness group Green Health Walk around the Prestwich site, badge making activities, a Men’s Health Quiz, baking classes and a carers event on Sunday 10 September finishing with a Sunday roast dinner!
Support, Time and Recovery (STR) Workers at Laureate House held an afternoon tea and chat session around World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday 10 September and ensured those who wanted to light a candle at 8pm were supported to.
Avril Fritton, PMO & Commissioning Manager for our North View Development at GMMH, along with project partners, Katy Schofield from DAYPM and Abi Chicken from Rider Hunt organised a walk on Sunday 10 September at Jumbles Reservoir in Bolton. It was a 5 mile walk and took just over 2 hours.
Avril, Katy and Abi on their walk around Jumbles Reservoir
On Sunday 10 September, START inspiring minds held a #WorldSuicidePreventionDay Vigil of Remembrance on Sunday 30pm at START Wellbeing Centre. From here, a procession unfurled 130 flags representing a life lost to suicide in Salford over the last five years. The procession made its way for a vigil at Salford Museum & Art Gallery.
GMMH's Suicide, Risk & Safety Research Unit (SSRU) Conference took place on 12 September, at The Curve in Prestwich.
The SSRU team, Research and Innovation (R&I) Office and their colleagues from the University of Manchester, came together to showcase several suicide prevention studies.
Attendees gained more insight to:
- Evidence-based suicide prevention initiatives for individuals and communities
- Understanding which mental health issues, life stressors, and personal vulnerabilities can lead to suicide thoughts and actions
- Practical skills for responding to individuals in crisis
Presentation slides of the talks are available on request, contact ssru@gmmh.nhs.uk for more information.
Creating Hope through Action is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide. The campaign aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us; that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. Preventing suicide is often possible and you are a key player in its prevention. Through action, you can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments – as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a neighbour. We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide.
You can learn more about World Suicide Prevention Day at WSPD - IASP
Support
Samaritans can be contacted any time from any phone for FREE at 116 123 or by email jo@samaritans.org
Support after Suicide: If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide, please see https://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/ for support.
GMMH’s 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Helpline 0800 953 0285
Our free 24/7 mental health crisis helpline for all ages is here to help our service users, carers, and people living in the areas we serve. If you are worried or anxious about your mental health or feeling as though you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent support and help, please don't hesitate to call.
The mental health crisis helpline is also there for you if you are concerned about a loved one, neighbour, friend or family member. It is open all day and night, 365 days per year and it is free of charge.
Ring NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk and you will have contact with an adviser who will direct you to appropriate care and support.
Crisis Cafés
We also have various other teams that offer help to people experiencing a mental health crisis, such as the Mental Health Liaision Team and various Crisis Cafes, Listening Lounges and Support Hubs.
Details can be found here: Crisis Care | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)
You can also click here for suicide prevention advice.
We also have a number of self-help resources on our website which you may also find useful.
For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay, #WSPD, #CreatingHopeThroughAction #BeTheLight
By encouraging understanding, reaching in and sharing experiences, we want to give people the confidence to take action. To prevent suicide requires us to become a beacon of light to those in pain.
