Everybody's business: A population-based approach to suicide prevention
How many of us would walk past someone in difficulty in a river, saying that's none of my business? Yet when it comes to someone thinking of suicide, people can be reluctant to get involved. This can be down to fear of making things worse, not knowing what to do, feeling that it is someone else's responsibility, even the mistaken belief that it would be futile to intervene because this person has made up their mind to die.
Research shows that a population-based approach to suicide prevention with trained "gatekeepers" in front-line services and the community increases the potential for early, effective intervention. This approach is central to the National Suicide and Self-Harm Reduction Action Plan for Wales.
Aims
We aim to help reduce the suicide rate across Wales and promote mental health by relieving the serious mental distress experienced by individuals with thoughts of suicide.
- Through outreach campaigns we will increase knowledge of where to go for help.
- By challenging stigma and raising awareness we will make it easier for people to talk openly about suicide and find help.
- By providing community-wide training programmes we will break down barriers and increase the numbers of people with the skills and confidence to help someone in distress.
