Health & Beauty

New phone app supports people with suicidal thoughts

Instant online help is now they are, you could really change available for people in Dorset their life.” who are struggling to cope and The distrACT app, which has won may be contemplating suicide. a British Medical Journal award for

Ahead of World Suicide Prevention ‘best digital innovation in healthcare’, Day on Thursday (10 September), has been successfully rolled out in Dorset HealthCare is promoting Bristol. Now Dorset HealthCare has distrACT – a new NHS phone app provided funding to help make it which gives easy, quick and discreet available locally. access to proven coping strategies As well as coping strategies, the and advice about self-harm and app offers practical self-help guides suicidal thoughts. and a ‘chill zone’ with ideas on

The free app, which has been developed by doctors how to focus on more positive thoughts. There is also and mental health specialists, also signposts users to the information about local support for people in crisis – in wide range of support available locally. person, online or via the 24/7 Connection helpline on

Gifty Markey, Head of Nursing, Therapies & Quality 0300 123 5440. for Mental Health & Learning Disabilities at Dorset Comments from health professionals and local people HealthCare, said: who have used distrACT have been very positive:

“We’d like to encourage local people to download the “Great app with extremely useful information.” app to find out more and also use it to signpost others. - “Very well laid out and I really love the chill zone Just search distrACT on your phone’s app store and section.” - “This app is well thought out and structured. select Dorset under the settings button – our services It’s a must if you are concerned about self-harm or are here for you and your loved ones. feeling suicidal and don’t know what to do next.”

“The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this Download distrACT to find out more, or read further year is all about working together. Please also take information on the NHS website. notice of your friends, family and colleagues, and how You can also visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/ they are feeling—you never know what might be going access-mental-health for further information about on under the surface. By just taking a minute to ask how support available in Dorset.

Yeovil Breast Cancer Unit Appeal needs your jewellery

In March 2019, Yeovil Hospital Charity fundraising events have had to be launched an appeal to raise the funds postponed or cancelled, making fundraising needed to build a £2 million dedicated quite challenging. With that in mind, to help Breast Cancer Unit right here in Yeovil. the appeal raise the much needed funds, the They have secured almost £1,500,000 so organisation is asking people if they might far, however building work will only start like to look in their jewellery boxes for when they have enough money. any unwanted jewellery, broken pieces of

Breast care services are currently spread jewellery and watches, which they may like around the hospital, which means that to donate. patients need to move around the hospital If you would like to support the appeal and undress in multiple locations. The through donating any unwanted or broken appeal hopes to raise the money needed jewellery, please contact Maggie Hague, to change this and develop a dedicated Breast Cancer Appeal Volunteer, on 01963 unit next to the Women’s Hospital, which 250108. will allow patients to have a biopsy, If you’d like to find out more about the a mammogram, an ultrasound and a appeal, please go to https://yeovilhospital. consultation all in one place. co.uk/get-involved/support-us-yeovil

During this current time, as like many hospital-charity/ or call Sarah Cherry, on charities, Yeovil Hospital Charity’s 01935 383020.