Let's Talk...Suicide Awareness September 2022 - event write-up
After the success of our last suicide awareness event in September 2021, we decided to run it again to raise awareness of the invaluable local and national services available for those suffering with mental health issues, particularly suicidal thoughts.
We were joined by 14 guests, including attendees from Macmillan Cancer Support, Citizens Advice Rotherham, Rotherham’s local MP’s office and Sheffield’s ‘Free to be You’ counselling/art therapy organisation.
We were first joined by Ruth Fletcher Brown, who was discussing the ‘Be the One’ campaign in Rotherham.
Ruth Fletcher Brown - Be the one campaign
‘Talk Listen Care’ approach to suicide prevention:
Talk:
Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they’re okay
Listen:
Help someone to feel less alone
Care:
Support is available for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts
Resources: Posters, leaflets and contact cards are available to support the ‘Be the One’ campaign. Please contact Healthwatch Rotherham if you are interested in displaying any of these resources in your services and organisations and we can arrange for Ruth to send these resources to you.
You can also find more information on the Be the One website, such as warning signs of suicide, how to get help and a toolkit of resources.
You can also follow the campaign on both Facebook and Twitter, to stay in the loop with the latest news, events and campaigns.
Support Services:
Amparo:
This service is commissioned across South Yorkshire and is for anyone recently or historically affected by suicide. Ring: 0330 088 9255. Leave a message and a member of the team will call you.
https://amparo.org.uk/refer/ - to refer directly and securely
Samaritans:
Ring Freephone: 116 123 or e-mail jo@samaritans.org
Local:
- Rotherham Crisis Service: Freephone: 0800 652 9571
- Rotherhive: https://rotherhive.co.uk/
National:
- Papyrus: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
- CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
- Stay Alive app: https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/
- Quick access to UK national crisis support helplines.
- Quick access to local crisis services across of the UK.
- A safety plan that can be filled out by a person considering suicide.
- A LifeBox to which the user can upload photos from their phone reminding them of their reasons to stay alive.
- Safety contacts page and strategies for staying safe from suicide.
- How to help a person thinking about suicide.
- Wellness Plan for your recovery, a place for your positive thoughts, inspirations and ideas.
- Suicide myth-busting.
- Online support services and other helpful apps.
Download the Stay Alive app on the App store for free
During the session, it was asked whether there was information for individuals with hearing impairments. Leah Booker commented in the session that when people lose their hearing, they can feel isolated and alone.
Support for those hard of hearing:
Crisis team: Freephone 0800 6529571
Text only phone for deaf/hard of hearing:
Please start your text with ‘Deaf’ to: 07771933869 (this is not free phone)
Talking Groups:
- Andy’s Man Club #ITSOKTOTALK
ANDYSMANCLUB are a Men’s Mental Health Charity – Offering free-to-attend talking groups for men and challenging the stigmas around Male Mental Health.
The meetings are every Monday 7 to 9 pm at The Centre, Brinsworth Ln, Brinsworth, Rotherham S60 5BU
- MATT Men Actually Talking Together
meets at Rotherham Rugby Club - ASK Women's Talking Group- every Wednesday 7-9pm in Brinsworth, Rotherham
- Rotherham SOBS- Contact: 07984 320948. Email: rotherham@uksobs.org
ASK Women’s Talking Group:
We were then joined by Alison Higgs who discussed the group sessions they run.
The group takes place every Wednesday 7pm-9pm. It is held at Brinsworth Phoenix Pavilion, Pavilion Ln, Brinsworth, Rotherham S60 5PA
Aged 18+ women
Ask group members how their week has been, whether they want to get something off of their chest and something positive that has happened that week.
The group is a huge success and allows women to talk in a safe and supportive environment.
S62 Community Together Rotherham CIC:
We were then joined by Sarah and Anthony from the S62 Community Together Rotherham CIC. They offer community led groups which support each other in-person and over Whatsapp groups/Facebook groups. There are no age limits, with attendees ranging from 18-87.
- Men’s Mental Health Group (MMHG): Informal group with new and regular attendees for men to talk about their week, any issues they are experiencing, developing friendships and reducing loneliness.
- Walking Groups
www.s62ctr.co.uk – website with information on sessions they offer and how to sign up. No referral is necessary.
E-mail: enquiries@s62ctr.co.uk
Andy’s Man Club:
Mariah then showed the group a video from Andy’s Man Club. The video discussed why Andy’s Man Club was set up and the fantastic work they do to support men with mental health issues.
Andy’s Man Club is a group where men aged 18 and above can speak openly about their mental health in a judgment-free, non-clinical environment. Groups now operate nationwide and are completely volunteer-led, with the vast majority of group facilitators having first interacted with ANDYSMANCLUB when they came through the door as a service user.
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
E-mail: info@andysmanclub.co.uk
You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.
A short video about Andy's Man Club and how they can help men can be viewed below. Their website also contains a number of videos and information that you can access
A huge thank you to our fantastic guest speakers for giving up their time to talk at our event today. We have gathered some really useful information which attendees can take away with them and share with colleagues, friends, family and service users.
Upcoming Let’s Talk event:
‘Let’s Talk… Breast Cancer Awareness’
Open to both the public and professionals
Wednesday 26th October : 11am-12pm via Zoom
