Community comes together for suicide memorial event

Article date: 20 December 2024

The suicide memorial event at the Totally Wicked Stadium was supported by suicide bereavement charity Amparo, Papyrus and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS), City Healthcare Partnerships (CHCP) and St Helens Wellbeing Service, as well as St Helens Borough Council and the Saints Community Development Foundation.

It provided a safe space for those who have lost a loved one to suicide to be together, talk and share the good memories of those they have lost, and an opportunity to connect with available support services.

The memorial supports the council's Suicide Prevention Strategy, among many other activities that have taken place this year, including:

• The re-launch of the Ok To Ask "Real Words, Real Hope" suicide prevention campaign. Working with local people who have had suicidal thoughts, sharing their messages of hope with others.
• The "I'd Ask The Question, Would You?" Suicide Prevention Pledge has been promoted throughout the year and was signed by full council earlier in the year.
• Andy's Man Club launched in St Helens in June with more than 30 men currently attending the peer-to-peer support network weekly. 
• Public Health are working closely with police and Samaritans to explore locations in the borough where access to mental health support can be increased for residents.
• Public Health commissioned Papyrus to deliver SPEAK suicide prevention training to frontline services and organisations. This upskilling also enables services to support vulnerable residents with safety plans.
• ​Saints' Building Foundations programme has also successfully been running through the year. The project is aimed at men and women with low mood, helping to encourage getting active and improving their mental health.
• Creative Alternatives is an award-winning, arts on prescription service that offers residents the opportunity to refer into a free programme that is centred around creative activities, wellbeing and self-care.
• A multi-agency professional event took place on World Suicide Prevention Day. The aim of the St Helens 'Mend the Gap' workshop was to bring together different organisations and services to forge connections, raise awareness, share knowledge and improve mental health support available locally.
• St Helens Wellbeing Service has trained many organisations this year and are able to provide suicide prevention and awareness training in educational settings, organisations and the community.

For further support and information, please visit www.oktoaskcampaign.co.uk.

Councillor Sue Murphy MBE, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: "Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy. The devastating loss is felt widely by family, friends and colleagues and communities who may feel that impact in their daily lives for many years.

"Prevention and awareness is of course a key focus for us, but just as essential is the support in place for those who lose a loved one to suicide.

"This memorial event was a small way of uniting those affected by suicide with others who share their experience, providing them with a safe space to remember the people they have lost and who they were in life, and an opportunity to connect with local support services.

"So much partnership work has gone on in recent years to make sure our residents get the right kind of help. With our Suicide Prevention Strategy and your help in building awareness, we will continue to strive towards our goal of zero suicides in St Helens Borough."

There is help and support available out there, including 24/7 crisis mental health support and a range of information, services and peer support available.

For training on how to talk to someone who is feeling suicidal visit www.zerosuicidealliance.com/training.