Health&Beauty New phone app supports people with suicidal thoughts
I
nstant online help is now available for people in Dorset who are struggling to cope and may be contemplating suicide. Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday (10 September), Dorset HealthCare is promoting distrACT – a new NHS phone app which gives easy, quick and discreet access to proven coping strategies and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The free app, which has been developed by doctors and mental health specialists, also signposts users to the wide range of support available locally. Gifty Markey, Head of Nursing, Therapies & Quality for Mental Health & Learning Disabilities at Dorset HealthCare, said: “We’d like to encourage local people to download the app to find out more and also use it to signpost others. Just search distrACT on your phone’s app store and select Dorset under the settings button – our services are here for you and your loved ones. “The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year is all about working together. Please also take notice of your friends, family and colleagues, and how they are feeling—you never know what might be going on under the surface. By just taking a minute to ask how
they are, you could really change their life.” The distrACT app, which has won a British Medical Journal award for ‘best digital innovation in healthcare’, has been successfully rolled out in Bristol. Now Dorset HealthCare has provided funding to help make it available locally. As well as coping strategies, the app offers practical self-help guides and a ‘chill zone’ with ideas on how to focus on more positive thoughts. There is also information about local support for people in crisis – in person, online or via the 24/7 Connection helpline on 0300 123 5440. Comments from health professionals and local people who have used distrACT have been very positive: “Great app with extremely useful information.” - “Very well laid out and I really love the chill zone section.” - “This app is well thought out and structured. It’s a must if you are concerned about self-harm or feeling suicidal and don’t know what to do next.” Download distrACT to find out more, or read further information on the NHS website. You can also visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ access-mental-health for further information about support available in Dorset.
Yeovil Breast Cancer Unit Appeal needs your jewellery
I
n March 2019, Yeovil Hospital Charity launched an appeal to raise the funds needed to build a £2 million dedicated Breast Cancer Unit right here in Yeovil. They have secured almost £1,500,000 so far, however building work will only start when they have enough money. Breast care services are currently spread around the hospital, which means that patients need to move around the hospital and undress in multiple locations. The appeal hopes to raise the money needed to change this and develop a dedicated unit next to the Women’s Hospital, which will allow patients to have a biopsy, a mammogram, an ultrasound and a consultation all in one place. During this current time, as like many charities, Yeovil Hospital Charity’s
44 The Marshwood Vale Magazine September - 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031
fundraising events have had to be postponed or cancelled, making fundraising quite challenging. With that in mind, to help the appeal raise the much needed funds, the organisation is asking people if they might like to look in their jewellery boxes for any unwanted jewellery, broken pieces of jewellery and watches, which they may like to donate. If you would like to support the appeal through donating any unwanted or broken jewellery, please contact Maggie Hague, Breast Cancer Appeal Volunteer, on 01963 250108. If you’d like to find out more about the appeal, please go to https://yeovilhospital. co.uk/get-involved/support-us-yeovilhospital-charity/ or call Sarah Cherry, on 01935 383020.
