A series of events aims to make a difference to suicide rates in Cumbria.
In the week beginning December 6, Every Life Matters will be launching a series of local action groups across Cumbria aiming to bring together people who want to make a difference to suicide rates in Cumbria.
The first two groups will be starting in Carlisle and Allerdale, with further launches across the rest of the county in 2022.
Chris Wood, Charity Manager at Every Life Matters, a Cumbrian Suicide Prevention and Suicide Bereavement Support charity, said: “Most people have been touched by suicide in their lives, whether that be through the death of a family member, friend, colleague, neighbour.
“It is a particularly traumatic form of loss and ripples right out across our communities. Since starting our charity two years ago, we have met so many people who want to do something about the issue, but often don’t know where to start. But there are actions we can all take to make a difference, whether large or small.
“Suicide is a complex issue, and there is no easy fix. To reduce suicides we need to break down the stigma around mental health and make reaching out for support at a time of crisis a normal thing to do – most people dying by suicide do not reach out for help. We need the community around that individual to better understand suicide, be able to talk openly about the issue and to understand that everyone can play a role in supporting someone at risk.
“We need safer services, which are accessible, compassionate and effective. And we need to ensure that there is support in place for all those bereaved or impacted by suicide.”
These launch meetings are for anyone in the Carlisle community who wants to make a difference about suicide, and an opportunity to:
- Learn more about suicide and its impact in Cumbria
- Some of the myths and facts about suicide and suicide prevention
- Find out what we can all do to play a part in preventing suicides
- Here from people who have already taken action in their local community
- Meet others in Carlisle who are keen to take action and make a difference
- Begin to plan a range of suicide prevention activity in your local area
People are encouraged to bring their ideas, their enthusiasm and the hope that they can make a difference.
A number of local guest speakers will also talk at the events about action they have taken against suicide including Ben Snowdon – Chief Executive Officer of Cumberland Football Association, Lisa Birdsall – Health and Wellbeing Champion at Cumberland Building Society, Jenna Sutherland – Project Development Manager at iCan Health and Fitness, Alison Oglanby – Maryport Mental Health Campaigner, Emma Gooch – Co-founder CHICCS Children in Crisis Cumbria Support, John Brown of Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbria and others.
Lisa Birdsall said: “An event and action group like this is so important as it solidifies a real focus on the subject in the community. It also gives a level of solidarity to families who have sadly lost a loved one to suicide in the hopes that they can feel less alone especially when navigating those early really dark days in the aftermath of a completed suicide.
“I think to effect even more change in our communities we need to get more businesses and employers on board with ideas to support their staff through suicide awareness and prevention. I work for the Cumberland Building Society, and this is something I’ve been tasked with as part of the values we want to deliver as a MH team.
“I am in the process of putting together training material to enable people managers to have more confidence when broached with the difficult subject of suicide. Hopefully, by delivering this in the new year we can get across that talking about suicide can be a proven lifesaver.”
Ben Snowdon of Cumberland FA said: “We are pleased to be supporting Every Life Matters Cumbria at their upcoming Safer Copeland event. As an organisation, we are acutely aware that a large percentage of our members may be impacted by this issue and therefore have worked in partnership with Every Life Matters – Cumbria to try and raise awareness within our clubs and leagues of the fact that talking about suicide can save lives and that its ok to reach out and ask for help.”
John Brown of Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbria said “We welcome the development of the Suicide Safer Communities across Cumbria. Any loss of life through suicide has an utterly devastating effect on families, friends and communities. It is vital that local people develop the confidence to say to someone they are concerned about ‘are you ok’ this can literally save a life. This initiative can help people to develop that confidence.”
