Published on: 11th March 2016
An action plan is a key part of the launch of a recent document to reduce suicide amongst those people using Lincolnshire’s specialist mental health and social care NHS Trust.
Over the past few months Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has been putting the finishing touches to its Suicide Prevention Strategy – in a bid to help support those who access its services and those who need help in accessing its services, as well as their carers.
The strategy has been developed in conjunction with survivors of suicide, service users, carers, families and staff, and aims to support people to understand how to manage at times of crisis.
Its six action areas mirror those in the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and will focus the direction of clinical services for the Trust over the next three years.
Dr Sue Elcock, LPFT Medical Director, said that the strategy is a vital part of the Trust’s plan to help those people thinking of suicide.
Our continuing focus is always to make a difference to the lives of people with mental health, substance misuse problems and learning disabilities and their carers. Any suicide or loss of life is tragic, and the impact it can have on families and friends is devastating. Our work with the local Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide group has been instrumental in helping us to also understand the needs of survivors at such a tragic time. There is always more to do, but our new strategy with its action plan will ensure we continue to promote recovery and quality of life through effective, innovative and caring services.
Lincoln Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide group leader, Dianne Tetley said:
Each year more than 6,000 people take their own life in the UK. We are pleased that LPFT has recognised the significance of supporting survivors of suicide and carried out this important work to help those people in distress and their families.
The Trust already has this sensitive subject high on its agenda and the launch of the strategy coincides with the release of latest figures which show suicide, homicide and sudden unexplained death rates for patients cared for by LPFT are amongst the lowest in the country.
Results from the Centre for Suicide Prevention, demonstrate the Trust is well below the national average in four out of the five categories measured.
The results cover 2011 to 2014 and were compiled by the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness (NCISH).
