Suicide Prevention Awareness
There is a greater awareness of mental health issues of late, thanks to the subject being discussed more widely in the news and on social media with the month of September being dedicated to suicide prevention awareness and 10th September being World Suicide Prevention Day, but how can we help our friends, family and colleagues who may be going through a difficult time?
There are many helpful resources in this article, including from JGA’s Charity of the Year, Campaign Against Living Miserably, or as it’s more well known, CALM; a charity providing life-saving services, information and advice to help anyone struggling with life navigate the issues that can make us feel miserable.
Not everyone is willing to talk, and according to Mind, whose aim is to raise further awareness of mental health issues, 1 in 4 of us have mental health problems. Studies have shown that some mental health conditions can be genetic, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone and help is always available.
NHS Scotland’s NHS Inform website offers the following advice:
One of the best things you can do if you think someone may be feeling suicidal is to encourage them to talk and to listen to what they say.
You might feel you need to try to provide a solution but the most important thing you can do to help is listen. If you are worried, trust your instincts, and ask them: “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Warning signs of suicide
A person may be at imminent risk if they are feeling suicidal and they:
- have made a plan about how they will kill themselves
- have access to a method to kill themselves
- are impulsive, or act recklessly
- have previously attempted suicide
- have close contact with someone who had attempted or died by suicide
- no longer fear death
- are visualising dying or after their death
You can find more information, including other warning signs, on their page, ‘Offering support to someone you’re worried is suicidal’
One thing to remember is the difference between someone having suicidal thoughts and being suicidal – this short video explains:
Where to go for help
At JGA we can connect you to our associates at Support Connect and Genius Within, two organisations we work closely with who can offer our apprentices support in many aspects of learning, Mental Health and Wellbeing. Your Learner Progress Advisor can put you in touch with these organisations.
There are many other established sources offering help and guidance for mental wellbeing – see our links below to just a few of those sources available:
Helpful Apps and Sites:
There are plenty of apps you can download to help with your mental health and personal and professional wellbeing.
