Full line-up of speakers is confirmed for the March meeting of our West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Advisory Network

A variety of suicide prevention work and issues will be discussed at the next West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Advisory Network (SPAN) meeting, as the line-up of speakers is confirmed.

The agenda has been set for the March instalment of our quarterly SPAN network meetings – informal, drop-in, virtual learning sessions which aim to encourage more suicide prevention action across West Yorkshire.

Organised by this Suicide Prevention Programme, the meeting will take place online, via Microsoft Teams, on Monday March 27^th and will span three hours, from 9am to 12noon.

First on the agenda is Steve Phillip, founder and director of Harrogate-based The Jordan Legacy, a suicide prevention not-for-profit organisation set up in memory of Steve’s son Jordan.

The Jordan Legacy’s mission is for a ‘zero-suicide society’ and through this work, Steve delivers talks and works collaboratively with the Government, organisations and individuals, with the aim of achieving a significant reduction in the suicide rates.

Also presenting at the March SPAN meeting will be Monica Hawley, a media adviser with the Samaritans, talking about the importance of how we report and discuss suicide – across the media and generally.

The meeting will also hear from Leigh Staunton, Leeds Mindful Employer co-ordinator, about raising awareness of suicide prevention in the workplace and the important role employers can play.

The meeting invite and agenda has been sent to all members of the West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Network.

If you would like to join the network and receive the meeting invite, and future invites, as well as a monthly newsletter, email Joanna.wardill@nhs.net.