Changing the narrative on suicide: Start the conversation… with a carer

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in News on 10th September, 2024

There were more than 6,500 deaths by suicide recorded in the UK in 2022, including around 100 people each year in Devon. The majority — around 73% — had no contact with mental health services. Suicide has a devastating impact not just on the family and friends of the individual, but also on the staff and agencies supporting that individual, as well as their communities. Prevention is something we can all help with, whatever our job role.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, observed annually to draw global attention to this issue and spread the message that suicides are preventable. The aim is to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and shift from a culture of silence to one of openness, understanding, and support.

The theme this year is “Start the Conversation”. Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to greater support, compassion, and understanding, where everyone feels valued and heard.

Learning from patient safety incidents, both nationally and within our care, highlights the importance of family involvement and information sharing. Research from National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH) shows that a three-way collaborative partnership between the service user, carer, and clinician — where all voices are heard and influence care decisions — offers the best chance of recovery. Family involvement is a key way to reduce rates of suicide and improve patient safety.

Many of us are aware of the “Hello my name is…” campaign, which promotes more compassionate care. The Safe from Suicide team challenges staff to focus on the importance of carer and family involvement in a person's care, and to start the conversation with them. Read their top tips below.

Remember, a carer is anyone who provides unpaid support for family or friends who need help because they are ill, frail, disabled, or have a mental health or substance misuse problem. We also know that across the UK, one in five children and young people are carers (Devon Carers, 2021).

Ask the people who use our services if they have a carer and how they would like them to be involved.

Talk with carers, as they are a valuable resource and bring expert knowledge and expertise about the person they care for. This includes young carers.

Listen to carers. Lack of consent does not prevent a practitioner from listening or providing general information and advice.

Involve carers in the entire care, treatment, and discharge process of the person they care for, with their consent, and provide clear and timely information.

Ask carers how they are, recognise their wellbeing needs, and help connect them to a range of support services, including Devon Carers, Torbay Carers, and Young Carers.

Offer carers opportunities to be involved in the design and delivery of our services.

As one of our carers, Abi, said: “Carers hold the world up.”

Useful resources

• Carers' Strategy 2024-2027
• Letter of Hope in various formats, with an introduction from the Letter of Hope Group
• It's ok to talk about suicide
• Devon Carers
• Torbay Carers
• Young Carers
• NCISH