Agenda item

To present on progress against the Suicide Prevention Action Plan

Ruth Fletcher-Brown, Public Health Specialist, to present

Ruth Fletcher-Brown, Public Health Specialist, presented the attached report with the aid of the following powerpoint presentation:

Suicide Rates for Rotherham 2021-23

-        The latest suicide data showed that Rotherham had seen a small increase in suicides from 12.4 in 2020-22 per 100,000 to 12.6 in 2021-23, however, the rate was statistically similar to the average for England at 10.7 per 100,000

-        Rotherham mirrored the national picture with males still accounting for most of the deaths to suicide in Rotherham.  The rate had slightly increased in the period 2021-23 to 17.3 per 100,000 compared to 16.5 in 2020-22.  However, it was still statistically similar to the national average for England at 16.4 per 100,000

-        Female deaths in Rotherham, whilst still lower than males became significantly worse than the national average for England from 2017-19.  The rate in 2021-23 was now 8.1 per 100,000 and statistically similar to England at 5.4 per 100,000

Progress from the previous action plan

-        SPOT and Speak Suicide Prevention courses delivered by Papyrus January-March 2024 – 223 people trained

-        Internal courses run on suicide prevention for teams within partner organisations – SYP, VCS, RMBC (Revenues and Benefits and Adult Care staff)

-        Taxi drivers encouraged to complete the Zero Suicide Alliance Taxi Driver Training (ZSA)

-        Domestic Homicide and Suicide Prevention Learning events held for partner organisations

-        Safeguarding Awareness Week (SAW) – suicide prevention workshops held every year since 2020

-        ZSA promoted to the public in libraries across Rotherham

-        Amparo support for children, young people and adults across South Yorkshire who had been bereaved/affected/exposed to suicide

-        4 Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) Groups operating across South Yorkshire

-        From 2021 there had been 4 memorial events for families and friends in South Yorkshire who had been bereaved by suicide

2025-28 Suicide Prevention Action Plan

-        In December 2024 a Symposium was held with partners of the Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Group, Operational and Strategic Groups with input from Andy Bell, CEO of Centre for Mental Health

-        The action plan was developed based on discussions at the symposium, local data, evidence-based practice

-        The action plan was aligned to the 2023-28 National Suicide Prevention Strategy

-        Action plan drafted and shared with partners from end of January to April 2025

2025-28 Suicide Prevention Action Plan Aims

-        Aim 1 – Making suicide prevention everyone’s responsibility

-        Aim 2 – To support those bereaved, affected and exposed to suicide

-        Aim 3 – Reducing suicides amongst high risk groups by reaching people where they live and work

-        Aim 4 – Using data to inform delivery of suicide prevention in Rotherham

-        The Rotherham Suicide Prevention Action Plan should be read in context with other supporting plans which would address the wider determinants

Suicide Prevention Actions

Actions identified in the 2025-28 were already progressing:-

-        Launch of the Vista Project, a pilot project to support people who had attempted suicide due to a life event (April 2025)

-        Domestic abuse and suicide prevention training May and September 2025

-        Older adults suicide prevention training for Adult Care, Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), Care Homes and Domiciliary Care (June 2025)

-        Working with Speakup and Rotherham Autism Support Service to look at the Be the One Campaign.  New film and resources would be promoted in September 2025

-        Training from SAYiT on LGBTQ+ communities and suicide prevention (starting May-October 2025)

-        Distribution to schools, colleges, VCS and CYPS of the easy read, Walk with Us Guide (May 2025)

Next Steps

-        Implementation of the action plan would be overseen by the Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Group.  Partners of the Health and Wellbeing Board were represented on this Group

-        Some actions would take place at a South Yorkshire level subject to funding

-        The Board would receive updates on progress and any emerging concerns

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·        Work was taking place with Speakup and the Rotherham Autism Support Service regarding the Be One Campaign.  A new film and resources would be promoted on 10^th September, 2025 which was World Suicide Prevention Day

·        From a Public Health point of view, Kooth would be actively promoted at this time of the year as well as the team around the schools being very proactive during the exam season.  Young Minds was also available which had a helpline that parents could use

·        The Vista Project was aimed at those aged 18+.  Currently children and young people would get support through CaHMS if they presented/had attempted suicide.  RDaSH provided support through CaMHS.  The Services did see young people that had attempted suicide due to a mixture of life events and mental health and in need of a multi-agency response.  RDaSH worked closely with partners in Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services

·        Aim 3  (reducing suicides amongst high risk groups by reaching people where they live and work) referred to every part of someone’s live.  The real time data provided information as to what was happening in the community and to target attention to areas of concern

·        There had been a lot of work carried out in other areas around Autism.  It was felt that once the film and the work on the website was released it would be acceptable to a wide range of neurodivergent communities

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made from the previous action plan be noted.

(2)  That the Board note the next steps under the new action plan.

(3)  That the Chair be provided with a briefing note as to what equivalent support to the Vista Project was available for children.