Many of us find suicide a difficult and emotional subject to talk about, but by being open and willing to have conversations we can tackle the stigma and let people know that they are not alone.
What are the warning signs that someone feels suicidal?
A change in someone?s personality and behaviour might be a sign that they are having suicidal thoughts. You may be the best judge of when someone you know is behaving differently.? Changes can include:
becoming anxious, irritable, or being confrontational or quiet
having mood swings or acting recklessly
sleeping too much or too little
not wanting to be around other people
avoiding contact with friends and family
having different problems with work or studies
saying negative things about themselves.
There are some indicators that suggest someone is more likely to attempt suicide. These include:
threatening to hurt or kill themselves
talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
preparing to end their life, such as storing up medication
putting affairs in order, such as giving away belongings or making a will.
Signs that something is wrong can sometimes be more difficult to spot. Such as a cheeriness which may seem fake to you, or they may joke about their emotions. Such as saying something quite alarming that is disguised as a joke. Don?t ignore your gut feeling if you are concerned about someone.
You may feel uncomfortable talking about suicidal feelings. You may not know what to say. This is entirely normal and understandable.
If you're worried someone you know may be considering suicide, try to encourage them to talk about how they are feeling.?Listening is the best way to help. Try?to avoid offering solutions and try not to?judge.?If you can, encourage them to get support they would be comfortable with. The Samaritans have some guidance on how to talk to someone who is having suicidal thoughts:
Available Support
If you want more information or advice about suicide prevention or mental health services please refer to the pages on Ask LiON
Samaritans ? Samaritans are available any time of the day if you need someone to talk to. Call them on 116 123
Shout ? Shout is a 24/7 text service available to anyone who needs some support. Text them on 85258
C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably) A charity that offers emotional support, advice and information to men who are feeling suicidal and their families. Call them on: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm ? midnight, every day of the year)
If you have concerns that someone you know may be at risk of acting on a suicidal thought, you should contact the emergency services to get them immediate help.
Counselling for Carers
Carers Federation Limited is offering a free, confidential counselling service for those who care for or support a family member, friend or neighbour. The service is being offered remotely via telephone or online. The average number of counselling sessions provided is 18, but this can be adapted to meet individual needs. The charity aims to assess all counselling referrals within two weeks. To refer someone to this service or arrange an assessment, call 0115 962 9310 or email [email protected]
Nottingham Mental Health Awareness Week w/c 5 October
Nottingham Mental Health Awareness (MHAW) 2020 will offer a range of digital ?events?, starting on 5 October and we need the help of Time to Change Champions.? Can?you come up with ideas for any digital sessions? We have yoga tasters, mental health film/book clubs and? 'mental health and financial' insecurity sessions planned (plus others) but we need more.? If any champions are willing to share what it's like to live with a mental health condition with a small group, we are able to offer a free 3-month subscription to Zoom.
We shall, of course, be holding a Nottingham Time to Change Champions Get Together on Tuesday 6 October at 12.00 noon.? The MHAW web site?has not been updated yet but it will be soon and will have details of the full programme and how to book.
If you want to be involved in the week and help others to connect around mental health, please email Pam Abbott at?[email protected].
Managing our anxiety about loss
The COVID pandemic is impacting on all of us differently but it is likely that we are all experiencing anxiety about loss in some form or another.? Advice and guidance on coping with bereavement and loss can be found here.? ?
If you find yourself focusing on the worst things that could happen, challenge yourself to think through a positive alternative. ?The people I know and love stay safe?. This is not to say you shouldn?t allow yourself to think through negative scenarios, but just that you should aim to find balance in your thinking.
?Come into the present?
If you find yourself feeling very anxious, even panicky, about the future, focus on bringing yourself back to the present moment as a way of calming yourself down and being able to better manage your thinking. Notice what you can see around you. What can you hear and smell? What can you feel on your skin? It also helps to work on slowing down your breathing.
?Let go of what you can?t control?
Some things are in our control; some things we can influence; and many things are out of our realm of control or influence. Recognise what falls into which category, and focus your energies on what you can control, and not on what you can?t.
?Stock up on compassion?
This collective anxiety means that people, ourselves included, may be acting out in unusual ways. Anxiety about loss might express itself in a variety of ways including as anger, denial or depression. Recognise that many people may be struggling even if they don?t, or can?t, articulate this, and try to show people as much understanding and compassion as possible. Show yourself that same compassion.
World Smile Day Friday 2 October 2020
The first Friday of October every year is celebrated around the globe as World Smile Day. The day encourages people to do acts of kindness to spread good will and cheer.
After months of living with COVID-19, we could all do with smiling more.
COVID-19: Psychological First Aid
Psychological First Aid is the globally recommended training for supporting people during emergencies and offers guidance on delivering psychosocial care in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
On this course, you?ll explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can do to help people cope.? The course will teach you the key principles of giving psychological first aid in emergencies.
This FREE training is suitable for front-line workers and volunteers, including TTC Champions.? For more information click here.
Give your views on the NHS Rehabilitation Centre
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG have launched a public consuation on the development of an NHS Rehabilitation Centre on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate, near Loughborough.?Current rehab services are offered at Lindon Lodge, City Hospital, Nottingham. This is a ?70 million investment so public views are important ? to share yours click here. Consultation ends Friday 18 September 2020.
Try your hand at an online jigsaw
This edition?s jigsaw is a vintage Raleigh poster ? how quickly can you do it?? If you find this one too easy, there are a wide range of other Nottingham jigsaws to complete here.
Mental health information for people working and their employers
Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
This confidential service is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and?is available at no charge to anyone who is working with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work.??Their specialist advisers provide:
Tailored work-focused mental health support for nine months
Suitable coping strategies
A support plan to keep you in, or return to work
Ideas for workplace adjustments to help you fulfil your role
Practical advice to support those with a mental health condition.
You can access the service if you have a mental health condition that has resulted in workplace absence, or that is making it difficult to remain in work.??You can call them on 0300 456 8114 or chat online.? For more information, visit the Remploy Website.
Bereavement guidance
Research from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, has found that just 54% of employees said they were aware of their employer having a policy or support in place for employees experiencing bereavement. CIPD have created a guide to help support grieving employees both in the immediate aftermath of bereavement and in the longer term.
Are you working whilst receiving treatment for mental health?
The Midlands Engine Mental Health and Productivity Pilot are looking for up to 12 people with recent experience of working for a UK Midlands-based employer whilst receiving treatment from mental health care services (either currently or within last 6 months) to take part in an online paid workshop. Their input at the workshop will help shape a new pilot service aiming to help employees managing mental health problems to feel more engaged and supported at work. The workshop will take place online at 10am Tuesday 22nd September. More information or sign up here.
Employer mental health guidance on responding to coronavirus
Mind have designed a guide?to support organisations to tailor existing workplace interventions to support the mental health of their staff during the coronavirus pandemic. The guide?provides practical examples and recommendations that can be adapted to workplaces of any sector or size and can be easily implemented in your workplace.
This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Nottingham City Council ? Loxley House, Station Street ? Nottingham. NG2 3NG
