Agenda item

To provide the Health and Wellbeing Board with an update on the Suicide Prevention Strategy. In addition to gain the Board’s approval for the change in approach and endorsement for the timeframe to make the amendments to the existing strategy, and to agree the approach of putting in place a principles document to ensure work continues on this agenda and can be monitored whilst the amendments are made.

Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz (Director of Public Health – Berkshire West) presented the item on the Suicide Prevention Strategy Update (Agenda Item 11).

It was explained that there had been a policy shift, which had taken account of research and data related to the impact of Covid on the level of suicides. Also, a new system had been developed around real-time surveillance that it was hoped could be adopted locally.

As part of the update, the intention was to overlay Public Health Strategy, taking into account social, economic and environmental factors and root causes of suicide, the triggers and key transition points in people’s lives. The proposed review of the document would make it broader.

It was also proposed to hold a suicide prevention summit in the autumn to launch the consultation on the refreshed strategy and secure greater partner buy-in to deliver suicide prevention across a broader range of policy.

The final updated strategy would be presented for adoption in spring 2023.

The Board noted that the Suicide Prevention Action Group (SPAG) continued to do all the practical suicide prevention group in West Berkshire. SPAG had a one day per week outreach worker, supported by the Board, who provided training courses. Two courses would be provided in the coming six week period, one of which would be aimed at the racing industry.

Members asked if there was any data being collected on suicides related to long-Covid.

It was confirmed that data was being gathered on people with long-Covid, but it was not being linked directly to suicide prevention. However, closer working with the Coroner’s Office would help improve understanding the causes of deaths by suicide. Improved understanding about the factors that led to suicide would allow for more targeted interventions and support to be put in place.

It was noted that only 28% of people who died of suicide were known to services, which highlighted the importance of mental health first aid training so people were more aware of the signs and how to help. The Board had been unable to recruit a representative from local employers, but it was felt that a contact could be useful in communicating issues and potential interventions around mental health.

It was acknowledged that a challenge of home / hybrid working was that it made it harder for managers and colleagues to identify where individuals were affected by low mood. It was stressed that employers had a responsibility to check that staff were OK and had the opportunity to highlight any support that they might need. It was noted that death by suicide could appear to be very sudden. This was devastating for family members.

The work of SPAG was praised by the Board. However, it was suggested that there were still blocks in the system, such as GDPR issues preventing exchange of information. It was suggested that solutions be found for high-risk individuals so wrap-around care could be provided.

It was noted that some types of training were ubiquitous amongst employers (e.g. equality and diversity, safeguarding, manual handling, etc), but mental health training was not. Members asked whether something could be done with the Local Enterprise Partnership, Chambers of Commerce, and local business groups to encourage more employers to run courses.

It was agreed that bite sized sessions helped to raise awareness and opportunities should be taken to engage more people on these issues.

Councillor Jo Stewart had secured mental health first aid training for Council Members. She felt this was important due to the wide range of people that they dealt with. She worked with a charity who supported families of people affected by suicide, but noted that families often felt uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk about it, since they often felt that they were to blame or should have prevented it. She indicated that she would like to attend the summit.

The Chairman proposed to accept the report’s recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Jo Stewart. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED: That the Health and Wellbeing Board agree:

·         to refresh the Suicide Prevention Strategy.

·         for the Suicide Prevention Partnership to arrange a summit for the autumn to launch a full consultation process into suicide prevention to further inform the Strategy refresh.