Agenda item

Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Action Plan Update

-        Ruth Fletcher-Brown, Public Health Specialist, to report

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 81 of the meeting held on 18th May, 2015, Ruth Fletcher-Brown, Public Health Specialist, presented a progress report on the actions detailed in the Rotherham Suicide Prevention and Self Harm Action Plan.

 

The report set out the actions/areas of development undertaken under each of the eight areas:-

 

-          Increase local level of understanding suicide and establish reporting mechanisms to strategic partners

-          Reduce risk in high risk groups – children and young people

-          Tailor approaches to improve mental health in specific groups

-          Reduce access to medication

-          Better information and support to those bereaved by suicide

-          Support media in delivering sensitive approaches to suicide and suicidal behaviour

-          Data collection and monitoring

-          Workforce development

 

Discussion ensued with the following highlighted/raised:-

 

·           A meeting with Head Teachers was still awaited to discuss the response plan – information had been sent to Safeguarding leads

 

·           The social marketing campaign for young people had been developed and was awaiting graphics

 

·           The Rotherham Self-Harm Practice Guidance 2015 was ready for circulation

 

·           Mental Health First Aid was a nationally recognised course for anyone working with adults or young people.  Funding had been received from the CCG and Public Health for 2015/16 but no commitment going forward

 

·           Training and workforce development was an issue - there were only 2 Youth trainers and 3 Adult trainers in the whole of Rotherham.  Part of the CaMHS work was to look at workforce learning and a more robust co-ordinated approach to training.  It was very important to get youth trainers in place

 

·           Promotion of the training to employers

 

·           Samaritans were used as a support organisation but there were resource issues

 

·           Publicity campaigns were with the Graphic Team for finalisation and once complete would have a scheduled timetable against them

 

·           Death by suicide was a long term issue for families who needed long term support.  The pathway for adults needed to be looked at as it was quite often a year after the death that an inquest was held.  A leaflet had been drafted which contained all the detail of the services available as well as discussions with South Yorkshire Police who were looking at services Force-wide. 

 

·           Information available to support witnesses/bystanders

 

·           Consideration should be given to the many other opportunities for offering advice including Councillors

 

·           National resource, “Help is at Hand”, had been sent to all GP surgeries

 

·           When there had been a self-harm incident/suspected suicide within a school and the Community Response Plan activated, partners had worked together very effectively and a multi-agency meeting held.  The feedback from the schools involved had been really appreciative and they had felt fully supported and equipped to deal with the incident

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the actions taken by the Rotherham Suicide Prevention and Self Harm Group be noted.

 

(2)  That the Office of National Statistics data on suicides and undetermined deaths from 2009-2014 be noted.

 

(3)  That the recommendations for future activity be endorsed.

 

(4)  That the Suicide and Self-Harm Community Response Plan be included on the agenda for the next available Head Teachers’ meeting.

 

(5)  That discussion take place on promotion of the training available to employers with a report back to the next Board meeting.

 

(6)  That an All Member seminar be held on Mental Health.

Supporting documents: