New suicide prevention campaign launched

You can support the campaign by making a pledge

A new campaign is being launched to help prevent suicide by raising awareness of the risks and showing what support is available.

The campaign, called Start a Conversation, was launched on 10 September) and coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day, and is hoping to break the stigma around suicide, encouraging people to be more open about their worries and showing them where to seek help.

A website has been launched giving people not only information on where to get help in a crisis, but also how to maintain good mental health and support others in need.

The campaign is a joint venture led by Leicestershire County Council and involving district councils, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire Police and NHS partners.

Death from suicide has devastating consequences for family, friends and colleagues.

We want to make sure residents and communities are aware of the warning signs of suicidal behaviour and have an open and honest approach to conversations.

The Start a Conversation website will signpost people in need to crisis care support and is part of a number of services which will help improve our response to suicide and suicide ideation.

This will be a real improvement in the suicide prevention offer for people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Person:Nick Rushton, Leicestershire County Council leader

Leicester deputy city mayor, Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on public health in the city, said: “We need to be able to talk more openly about mental health generally, including thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the single biggest cause of death in men aged under 45, so unfortunately we are not talking about something that is a rare occurrence. 

“Here in Leicester, together with our partners, we have delivered suicide awareness training in communities where the risk is highest. 

“This new website will help to further strengthen the important work we are doing to break the silence around suicide.”

The campaign aims to:

• Remove the stigma and myths around suicide and encourage people to talk openly about it
• Provide information and advice to people at crisis point
• Build safer communities by raising awareness
• Help people to maintain good mental health
• Support people who have been bereaved through suicide

There are on average 55 deaths from suicide each year in Leicestershire and it remains the biggest killer of men under 50 and the leading cause of death in young people. Three-quarters of suicides are among men, with those aged 45-49 most at risk

For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected.

People and businesses can also support the campaign by making pledges to highlight the steps they will take to help tackle suicide and the issues surrounding it.