This year, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) took place on Tuesday 10th September. The theme for this year was 'Changing the Narrative on Suicide' with a specific call to action to 'Start the Conversation'.
The Stamp It Out Partnership Hub (SIO) joined in with WSPD, encouraging conversations around mental health and what we can do to stamp out the stigma and discrimination surrounding suicide.
SIO shared resources from the Mental Health Foundation with members, some partners shared these onwards within their memberships. SIO also reached out to partners and members regarding suicide prevention tins that were available - these tins were filled with numerous helpful resources for those who may be struggling with their mental health. Alongside these tins, there were some 'Help is at hand' booklets available, which aim to help people cope with grief following the loss of a loved one.
Several of those who requested the tins and booklets feedback that the information was well received. Creative Support gave out 6 - 7 sets of resources to different clients. The information will be worked upon as required. The support worker highlighted a booklet to help those with learning disabilities and dyslexia would also be useful.
At a 2-day men's event, Jack Drum Arts explained WSPD and that there were resources available. It was a busy event with 27 men attending, resources were looked at and taken away with the SIO coasters being popular.
To add to this, the Pioneering Care Partnership and a manager for a Durham County Council team took some tins and booklets to explore, discuss and to assist with future community engagement activities.
SIO also put on an event at Healthworks for WSPD, which continued for the rest of the week. The event was led by Alfie who is one of our young people Anti-Stigma Ambassadors and is well known in East Durham as Alf the Kid. Resources were shared with Mental Health Matters and Wellbeing for Life, as well as a local pub.
Alfie said: "Approximately around 50 - 60 people saw the resources and commented that the tins were good and very supportive... a lot of SIO coasters and pens were taken too."
Alongside handing out resources and attending events, one of our very own Anti-Stigma Ambassadors kindly shared their story, in the hopes of encouraging others to speak out about their experiences with suicide, and to help eliminate stigma. You can read their story here.
We would like to say a big thank you to all of our partners, who helped make the day a great success! We look forward to working together once again for World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10th October.
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