Scheme to give firefighters trained suicide prevention techniques one of many initiatives taking place across our area to reduce number of people who take their own life

Posted on: 12 May 2019

dave.jpgA scheme to give firefighters trained suicide prevention techniques is one of a raft of initiatives taking place across our area to reduce the number of people who take their own life every year across the area.

Our Partnership has set a target of a 75% reduction in targeted areas and 10 % reduction in overall suicides by 2020. To help achieve this the Partnership has invested £22,000 in a basic ‘train the trainers’ fire service pilot using an internationally recognised evidence based programme developed in Canada by not for profit organisation Livingworks.

Five trainers from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will become trainers in ‘safeTALK’ a suicide prevention training course that helps people know what to do if someone's suicidal by following the easy to remember TALK steps - Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep-safe. These practical steps offer immediate help to someone having thoughts of suicide and help them move forward to connect with more specialised support.

A further four fire service places have been allocated to training trainers in ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). ASIST teaches participants to recognise when someone may have thoughts of suicide and works with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.

The training builds on other suicide prevention work across the area such as the ‘Adopt a Block’ scheme in Leeds, which has seen firefighters building suicide prevention work into their existing safety and prevention work in high rise building. It also acknowledges that firefighters are often among the first people on the scene when there are suicide attempts.

Rob Webster, CEO of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership said:

"Suicide continues to be the biggest killer of young men in the UK. What is less known is that most people who die by suicide are not in touch with specialist mental health services. It is really important that we are all equipped to deal with people who may be feeling hopeless or helpless, that is why I am delighted that we are working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. It is a great example our how we are collaborating on issues that will make the biggest difference to our population.  As someone who is personally affected by suicide, I understand the impact not just on the individual, but also the impact on Friends and Family left behind."

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said:

"Losing someone to suicide is an experience that no-one should have to go through.  Having spoken to people who have thought of taking their own lives I think it is important that we work with our partners to make our staff aware of the warning signs, to enable them to support both  colleagues and community members.  By working with the Partnership we can hopefully raise awareness of this subject and most importantly help  to save more lives."

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