Plan to support people at risk of suicide earlier to be considered by BCP Council
It includes training for BCP Council staff, giving them the knowledge and confidence to recognise warning signs and connect people with appropriate support.
An updated plan setting out how people at risk of suicide can be reached earlier, and supported before they reach crisis point, is set to be considered in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
BCP Council's updated suicide prevention action plan is due to be considered by its Cabinet on Wednesday (28th October).
If it is approved, progress will be overseen through a proposed Suicide Prevention Delivery Group.
The council says the plan is based on evidence and sets out clear actions for the council and notes shared priorities to be delivered with partners across Dorset.
It includes training for BCP Council staff, giving them the knowledge and confidence to recognise warning signs, start compassionate conversations and connect people with appropriate support.
The action plan also sets out practical steps to:
- improve prevention and early intervention
- strengthen the skills and confidence of people who may come into contact with someone at risk
- make it easier for people to find appropriate support
- improve the support available to those bereaved or affected by suicide
Councillor Brown, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "Behind every statistic is a person, and people who love them. Every life lost to suicide has a devastating and lasting impact on families, friends, colleagues and our wider community.
"That is why we are taking this so seriously. Our BCP Council suicide prevention action plan is about turning concern into practical action, building on the work already happening and strengthening the support around people before they reach a point of crisis.
"Suicide prevention is not something any single organisation can tackle alone. We want more people across our communities to feel confident recognising when someone may be struggling, starting that conversation and knowing where to turn for help.
"We are keen to work across health, education, voluntary and community organisations, to build a stronger network of support around people when they need it most.
"We want people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to know that it is okay to talk about suicide, that asking someone if they are struggling can matter, and that nobody should feel they have to face a difficult moment alone."