Jessica Parker, Suicide Prevention Programme Project Manager looks back on what has been achieved across the region in 2021.
It's been a busy year laying the foundations to help achieve our aim to become a zero-suicide region. Building on all the work happening in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield, we did lots of work across West Yorkshire.
We launched the new website, invited three new senior responsible officers to our programme and recruited more amazing organisations to our suicide prevention networks and governance structures.
Here’s a quick round-up:
- Leeds Mind will spend the next two years supporting the system to improve coproduction in suicide prevention.
- Leeds GATE have been delivering suicide prevention work with Gypsies and Travellers across West Yorkshire.
- Verd de Gris arts are producing a film which will take a hard hitting look at veterans and suicide risk.
- State of Minds Sports continue to work with employers of men across the region to encourage people to combat stigma about suicide.
- The staff ‘Check-In’ Campaign was rolled out, and the resources continue to be used by hundreds of partners across the system.
- We are working with West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and many others to improve intelligence and information sharing about suicide, which will continue to support local responses.
- The Suicide Bereavement Service continues to offer vital peer support for people who are bereaved by suicide; this service is open to staff as well as service users.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed and continues to do great work preventing suicide across West Yorkshire - you are AMAZING!
Next year we hope to build on the work achieved so far with the launch of the West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2027, which will map the next five years.
In the meantime, it’s important to check in with those around us, especially our colleagues who may still be working over the festive period. I've written a blog to highlight who might be at risk so we can have conversations where they are needed - this could save someone’s life.
Thank you again and Merry Christmas!