Response, an Oxfordshire charity, is building awareness of its multi-layered approach to suicide prevention to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
As the region’s largest independent mental health charity, supporting up to 550 individuals experiencing critical mental illness, they have urged that suicide prevention methods must begin long before a person’s moment of crisis.
By operating more than 200 shared, self-contained and single person houses and flats, the charity’s team provides a person-centred support model to help people work towards living independently and contributing positively to their community via a holistic trauma informed recovery focused approach.
NHS have released data this year displaying that the number of people aged 16 to 74 reporting suicidal thoughts has almost doubled since the turn of the millennium from 3.8% in 2000 to 6.7% today.
On average, 19 people in the UK will take their own life each day.
Responding to these findings, CEO of Response and Chair of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership, Nicola Leavesley has said: “Suicide prevention methods are not exclusive to the moment a person is considering taking their own life – it must begin long before a person’s moment of crisis,
“Strong foundations are absolutely essential to aiding a person’s recovery, which is one of our primary objectives at Response.
“We achieve this through safe housing, providing stability and a purpose to a person’s life plus opportunities to connect with others and ensuring basic needs are met. For every person experiencing mental health challenges, however severe, it is critical they can access the right support.
“Everyone matters, and it is our responsibility to ensure as many people as possible can access this support without judgement, for life if needed, and establish a purpose to their life where they can build self-esteem and self-worth.”
Response is part of the Oxford Mental Health Partnership Group, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary next month, which is allowing them to enhance people’s accessibility to receive the best possible support when requires.
The group comprises of Connection Support, Elmore Community Services, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfordshire Mind, Response and Restore, and all six organisations ran campaigns across their social media platforms to mark World Suicide Prevention Day yesterday using the hashtag #ItsOkToAskForHelp
Nicola added: “A collaborative approach is essential to ensuring each of our services operate to their best potential and help aid people’s recovery either in the short or long term.
“Right now, demand for the services far outweighs the resources.
“This highlights the urgent need to increase public awareness of practical suicide prevention strategies, such as active listening, reducing stigma and knowing how to support someone in distress.
“It’s also important to encourage people to use these approaches in everyday conversations, workplaces and communities.”
More information about Response and the charity’s work that supports people living with serious mental health can be found on their website.
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts should call 111, or can text SHOUT to 85258 to speak a professional via text message.
#ItsOkToAskForHelp
