PAPYRUS Newsletter - July 2017

NEWS

The Art of a Peaceful Mind: A colouring book with a difference – pages 4-5

Also inside this edition:

Changing the stigma around mental health – pages 12-13 20 years of preventing young suicide – pages 16-17 Confidentiality in the context of suicide prevention – pages 18-19

Newsletter Edition Number 59 (July 2017)

In this Issue: Welcome to PAPYRUS News

Highlights

It is encouraging to see politicians raising what would, at one time, have been 'off limits', namely the emotional health and mental wellbeing of children and young people. Our first challenge is to press for action rather than empty rhetoric from national and local government; action that is informed by the needs of those we hear from every day on HOPELineUK, and through our work across the UK with those personally affected by young suicide.

04-05

The Art of a Peaceful Mind

06-07

Launching #DressForLife

10-11

Shining a light on PAPYRUS

12-13

Changing the stigma around mental health

16-17

PAPYRUS at 20

18-19

Confidentiality in the context of suicide prevention

22-23

Team PAPYRUS in action

West Midlands Regional Office:

Head Office:

516-517 The Green House The Custard Factory, Gibb Street Birmingham B9 4DP Tel: 0121 437 0411

Lineva House, 28-32 Milner Street Warrington Cheshire WA5 1AD Tel: 01925 572 444 Fax: 01925 240 502

London Regional Office: 30 Binney Street Mayfair London W1K 5BQ

If you would prefer to receive this newsletter electronically please let us know by email: admin@papyrus-uk.org

www.papyrus-uk.org

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide in the UK. Registered Charity Number 1070896.

A list of PAPYRUS Trustees is available on our website.

Patrons Rt Hon David Hanson MP Rt Hon David Heathcoat-Amory Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP

Honorary Advisor Professor David Gunnell – University of Bristol Design sponsored by TBWA\Manchester

02

For 20 years, PAPYRUS has championed this agenda. Our work has always been rooted in the personal experience of the families changed forever by the unimaginable loss of a child or young person to suicide. At our recent events recognising this milestone (see pages 16-17), PAPYRUS founder Jean Kerr reminded us that: "In the early days, other parents came on board and contributed hugely… It has always been my hope that PAPYRUS will always recognise and keep within its heart the value that parents have.

In today's jargon it is our USP, our Unique Selling Point – one that none of us wished to have."

This newsletter is also available on our website

Get in Touch

The young royals have been at the helm of much of that good work. A friend told me recently, 'everyone seems to be talking about mental health on the telly'. Sadly, though, far fewer are talking about suicide prevention. That's our second challenge.

Much work is underway to raise the profile of suicide prevention. Recently we have called on the insurance industry to challenge policy discrimination regarding suicide, and have been pressing for urgent action to change the use of the Criminal Standard of Proof for coroners’ conclusions.

There is much to be hopeful about in the sector. Three recent highlights for me are: 1. Many of our campaigns now have the backing of the House of Commons Health Select Committee – we will continue to hold the government to account in its response to these.

2. The contribution of Professor Sir Simon Wessely, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, to the debate on information-sharing (see pages 18-19).

3. The work of students and young artists in our recently published PAPYRUS colouring book, The Art of a Peaceful Mind (pages 4-5). This is a timely reminder of the importance of self-care.

HOPELineUK is a confidential support and advice service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned about a young person. For suicide prevention advice contact HOPELineUK: Call: 0800 068 41 41 Text: 07786 209 697 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org Opening hours: 10am-10pm weekdays, 2pm-10pm weekends, and 2pm-5pm Bank Holidays.

Information contained in this newsletter is intended for guidance only and is not a substitute for professional advice. No responsibility for loss occasioned as a result of any person acting or refraining from acting because of what is written in the newsletter can be accepted by the publisher, authors or PAPYRUS Trustees.

I am so pleased that we have now been able to open an office in Oxford Street, London. We are now better able to support those already working hard across the region to represent PAPYRUS. To all of you who play your part, sincere thanks. We do make a difference. We have an important message. Our passion must continue to drive our vital work.

Ged Flynn Chief Executive

PAPYRUS is 20 in 2017

20 years of preventing young suicide

We're launching a new campaign to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday 10 September – stay tuned for more details.

03

With a few pens or pencils and some time to yourself, colouring can be a way to stop, to slow down, and to feel more able to manage difficult thoughts.

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week 2017, PAPYRUS launched a colouring book with a difference. Designed by students and young artists, `The Art of a Peaceful Mind' focuses on the importance of self-care.

Suicide Prevention Advisor Simon explains why self-care is so vital to our emotional wellbeing, and how it can help us stay suicide-safe.

At HOPELineUK the calls, texts and emails we receive include young people talking about and trying to better understand their own mental health and wellbeing. Many of these callers may be thinking about suicide.

We support young people through thoughts of suicide by listening to their experiences, trying to understand their situation, hearing what is making life difficult and supporting them towards finding other options. A key focus is staying safe from suicide.

During these times it can often be more difficult for them to feel a sense of hope, to feel connected to the idea of safety, to feel a sense of their own resilience. These are also the times when ‘self-care’ is essential – taking time out to be kind to yourself, to find activities that feel good, or allow you to reconnect with yourself. Self-care is about caring for yourself, inside and out.

Distraction techniques and coping strategies help many people to manage thoughts of suicide. Finding an enjoyable activity – be it practical or sensory – can be a positive way to introduce ‘safe’ time. It can provide time and space in which focus moves from feeling alone, sad or suicidal, to an activity that holds your attention and allows you to be present in what you’re doing, helping difficult thoughts feel less overwhelming.

In recent years, mindfulness combined with taking time out to colour in has proved a popular activity. Our new colouring book, ‘The Art of a Peaceful Mind’, has been designed by young artists to reflect the ways in which they relax and practise self-care. It offers a fantastic opportunity to engage in mindful colouring, and also suggests a range of self-care activities – for example using everyday chores such as washing the pots as a way of slowing down, reading your favourite book, or spending time outdoors. It features birds, animals – even a mermaid!

"Suicide can be a hidden thought, people can be scared to talk about it, and this may be the first step to help" (Calum, studying Graphic Design)

The illustrations demonstrate a range of self-care activities that the artists use themselves.

PAPYRUS sought contributions from young artists and illustrators at UK colleges and universities and we were overwhelmed with the volume and high quality of the response, making the final selection a difficult choice.

Dealing with thoughts of suicide is painful.

It can be hard, but it’s not impossible or unachievable. It starts with self-care, allowing yourself to understand that these thoughts, however difficult or overwhelming, are not permanent. Try to accept them without judgement. Taking care of yourself, taking time out to do something enjoyable, something distracting, allows you to feel calmer. This in turn leads to understanding that thoughts and situations can change – and do change.

With the support we provide at HOPELineUK, with self-care and focusing on personal mental health and wellbeing, many young people reach a point where they can manage thoughts of suicide and accept that these thoughts are part of their journey through life – not something that defines them.

"Creativity draws people out into a place where they can pay less attention to their present struggles" (Beatrix, student)

Looking at safety is a two-way process.

It’s important we understand what feels achievable for the caller. At HOPELineUK we spend time understanding what can make safety from suicide difficult for our callers.

This may include certain events or times of day – like being at school or at university, being alone late at night, or having arguments with friends or parents.

04

Mindfulness – focusing on the present moment, the present activity, whilst allowing thoughts and feelings to ‘just be’ – has a long history of helping people with their mental wellbeing. By allowing yourself to become absorbed in the moment it’s possible to feel a sense of calm and focus that can distract from difficult thoughts and feelings.

Our colouring book in action at Birmingham Pride!

For yourself, or a gift for a friend, `The Art of a Peaceful Mind' can be purchased from our online shop for £5 (plus £2 postage and packaging): www.papyrus-uk.org/shop You can also download a smaller version for free from the resources section of our website.

05

LAUNCHING #DRESSFORLIFE International model Florence Kosky reflects on the suicide of two of her friends, and shares her work to raise awareness of suicide prevention within the fashion industry.

I’ve spent recent years working in different facets of the media industry, and feel exceptionally lucky in the opportunities I’ve had.

I’ve worked as a model for brands from Adidas to Dior, as an actress in fringe plays to feature films, and most recently I’ve tried directing.

This has given me a platform to voice issues I care about; first and foremost being suicide prevention.

I lost two friends to suicide, in 2013 and 2015.

I think because we were so young, it really shook me. After losing my friend in 2013, I was heartbroken; but it wasn’t until another friend died by suicide in 2015 that I began to realise the enormity of the problem in the UK. I felt I needed to do something to turn my anger into something positive.

I wanted to make a difference. I spoke at length with my Dad, who is a psychiatrist, and decided to fundraise for PAPYRUS. I wanted to contribute to the amazing work the charity was doing and help prevent the loss of more young lives.

By 2015, I was working as an international model. I knew that I could use my connections in the fashion industry to raise awareness as well as funds. Many great talents in British fashion have been lost to suicide – Alexander McQueen, Isabella Blow 06

and, most recently, photographer Matt Irwin – and I quickly found support for my work. I began by writing an article about my own experiences with suicide for i-D Magazine for 2016’s Mental Health Awareness Week. It was an incredible opportunity to raise awareness and helped to kick-start my own project - a luxury goods auction, #DressForLife.

“I WAS STRUCK BY HOW COMMON SUICIDE IS IN THE UK AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE TALK ABOUT IT” I approached brands and designers, asking them to donate items for me to sell online, with all the proceeds going to PAPYRUS. I was overwhelmed by the response.

Emerging designers (Mother of Pearl, Pippa Holt Kaftans) and industry giants (Chanel, Mulberry, Topshop) all donated a mixture of clothes, accessories and make up. Once we had these incredible items, I began to coordinate a look book shoot, alongside my agency Models1, whose support I am forever grateful for.

I reached out to a variety of individuals who work as fashion creatives, and found a team who were willing to give up their valuable

time for free to make this shoot happen. By talking to these people and finding out their reasons for wanting to be involved, I was struck by how common suicide is in the UK and how important it is that we talk about it.

Too often it is a subject dominated by silence.

The shoot was a wonderful experience and I am very proud to have had a part of making the final images. To me they show a kind of energy that feels alive.

Once we had put the look book together, the auction could go live. It was hosted on 'Jumble Bee', which specialises in charity auctions. An online auction was very important to me as it meant that there was a wider reach – I did end up posting something to New York! We held the auction for a week and once again I was blown away by the support we received from the press; i-D, Wonderland, Office and EXIT all supported online and on social media, giving PAPYRUS exposure and bringing attention to the issue of young suicide. In total, #DressForLife raised over £5,000 – although I am incredibly proud of that, the most important thing for me was that many, many people reached out to me, sharing their experiences and telling me about ways in which they are planning to support PAPYRUS within their own communities.

and promote PAPYRUS. I am so proud and humbled to be involved with a wonderful charity, and to have received the support that I have.

You can catch Florence’s short film, The Otherworld, at various film festivals in the UK in summer 2017.

“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME WAS THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO ME, SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES”

Moving forward, I plan to continue working as an advocate for suicide prevention. I am currently working on a short film which I hope will open up conversations about suicide, and I intend to continue to fundraise for 07

Dramatic increase in contacts to HOPELineUK We have seen a massive increase in texts and e-mails to HOPELineUK (see figure one), the busiest part of our service. Contacts from 12-14 year olds have also become more frequent. These tend to be about a variety of issues, including bullying, exam stress and self-esteem. Text is by far the most popular way for children and young people to communicate, offering them flexibility to contact us discreetly when with family or friends, or at school or college. It’s also a step removed from speaking directly to an adviser and can feel ‘safer’ for them in the first instance. We often find that this initial contact leads to a telephone call at a later date.

We are also receiving increasing numbers of calls from concerned others, particularly parents and school staff – teachers and those responsible for pastoral care. Many of these calls focus on ‘asking the question’, with our advisors reassuring callers that it’s OK to ask

about suicide in order to best support the child or young person they are concerned about

Rise in students seeking help with exam stress This year we saw a 30 percent rise in children and young people contacting us in relation to exam stress. One major concern prevalent across these contacts is fear about the future: fear that if they don’t pass the first time or get good grades it will impact on their chances of getting a job.

For example: “I worry about things I haven’t revised for”; “I want to kill myself, I get worried about exams”; “I’ll just give up on my future now”; “I don’t see a reason for living when I have no future”. For many, the fear that they will disappoint their parents can contribute to thoughts of suicide. At HOPELineUK we also advise parents how they can support their child during exam time.

How can I start a conversation about suicide?

Resources available to download from our website include conversation starters (advice and guidance on how to start a conversation about suicide) and a suicide safety plan (an individual, practical plan to help someone manage thoughts of suicide).

We also have a number of other resources, including suggestions for distraction techniques and coping strategies. You’ll find them here: www.papyrus-uk.org/help-advice/resources

HOPELineUK: Email and SMS traffic, 2013 - 2017 6000 5000 4000 3000

Frequently Asked Questions We receive a wide variety of questions at PAPYRUS HOPELineUK, our national helpline, from children and young people as well as concerned others. These are examples:

Q: I'm concerned about my 12-year-old son. I've recently discovered he has been looking at online games and websites promoting self-harm and suicide. I haven't talked to him about this as I feel out of my depth.

I'm worried if I mention it, he will realise I've been looking at his internet history. He may become angry and harm himself. I am desperate for advice.

A: Knowing that your child is looking at graphic content online can be really frightening. Yet you are worried asking him will make things worse. But without asking the question "are you having thoughts of suicide?" in a calm and direct way, you will not know what you are dealing with, and it will be harder to to help. By describing what you have noticed, you have a starting point. On the PAPYRUS website you'll find help with conversation starters, and you can call HOPELineUK to talk to an advisor for help and advice. You can also let your son know that HOPELineUK is here to support him.

Q: I've just finished my final year at college, and am waiting for my exam results. I feel I'm going to fail or miss the grades I need to be able to take my place at university.

All my friends will be moving on and enjoying themselves and I am going to be stuck here, feeling stupid and ashamed. My parents put a lot of pressure on me as my brother is really clever and at university doing his masters.

I sometimes think there's no point in living if I can't live up to their expectations.

A: Waiting for exam results can put many students under enormous pressure.

Though it may feel like results are everything right now, they don't define you as a person. Even if you don't do as well as you had hoped there are still lots of options available. When you say that there is no point in living, have you been having thoughts of suicide? We want to reassure you that many students struggle with these thoughts and, with help and support, can start to feel hopeful again. Contact HOPELineUK and talk to one of our advisors who will help you stay suicide safe. We can suggest other organisations you can contact for advice and support around exam results.

2000 1000 0

January

2013 08

February

March

2014

2015

April

2016

May

2017

For confidential advice and support on how to help a young person at risk, or if you are a young person thinking about suicide, speak with our professional advisors at: HOPELineUK on 0800 068 41 41, text 07786 209 697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org 09

Shining a light on PAPYRUS Kojo Marfo is Founding Director of My Runway Group, a platform for youth development and creative growth. He shares his personal experience of suicide, and why his company is supporting PAPYRUS. During my first term as a fresher at Coventry University, I faced a number of hardships. I had very little money to live on, no job and no access to government funding. I had to find a way to pay for my rent as well as my tuition. I experienced my first bout of depression. Everyone around me was still in party mode; I couldn’t bring myself to confide in anyone. I felt totally alone in the dark tunnel I found myself in. After a few months, I decided enough was enough. I felt I’d been over-ambitious in leaving London to study in the Midlands by myself. I decided to end my life. I wasn’t going to tell my family about anything I was going through – they had done enough to get me here. The only person I considered was my sister, Adjoa, and only because she studied in Leicester, not too far from Coventry.

I wrote my suicide note and left for Leicester – not to tell my sister how I was feeling, but to see and spend time with her for the last time. We went to church together.

Something interesting happened during the service. My sister’s resident elder, a man I had never met, said to the congregation; “There is someone here who is planning to take his life, I need you to come to the front”. I was terrified, how did he know?

10

In tears I walked up and shared what I was going through. Just sharing how I felt, and hearing the assurances of the elder, gave me hope, and I felt a surge of self-worth and belief.

When I returned I began to see problems as opportunities. I found luck as a sales assistant in Comet. I started curating events for students, from parties and fashion shows to comedy nights and end of year balls. I connected with my sense of creative entrepreneurship. My university began to take notice of my social influence. They funded my businesses and awarded me entrepreneur of the year, meaning I had two companies to my name before my final year – an events company and a media and production company run by students and young people in Coventry.

"JUST SHARING HOW I FELT GAVE ME HOPE, AND I FELT A SURGE OF SELF-WORTH AND BELIEF"

I am most proud of my production company, My Runway Group. Initially begun as a fashion show for students, we now work with young people across the Midlands.

Over the last five years we have championed activities that promote youth engagement in the creative industry. Our mission is to keep creating opportunities for young adults to develop their skills and confidence whilst having lots of fun in the process. We’ve worked with various charities, connecting them to our youthful database and donating in cash and in kind via our annual Christmas project. Through this, I have been recognised as a rising star at the 2016 Black British Business Awards (BBBA) in London. I was also selected to be a flagbearer of Ghana at the commonwealth celebrations in recognition of my services to the youth community.

Two years ago, we lost one of our media team coordinators, Michael, to suicide. It was a big blow to the team. Michael’s loss drove me to raise awareness about the help available to young people dealing with depression and other mental health issues, as well as suicidal thoughts. With the help of my charity coordinator, Dami, we discovered and reached out to PAPYRUS. Even though it was over a short period we managed to raise a lot of awareness via social media and arranged to have a PAPYRUS charity stall at our fashion show, with an audience of 1,400.

“OUR MISSION IS TO KEEP CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE WHILST HAVING LOTS OF FUN IN THE PROCESS" This year I plan to do more with PAPYRUS, curating workshops, seminars and other projects involving young people that will promote the charity’s work, especially in the Greater London region. Our theme for this year’s show, ‘The Youth Will be Televised’, is a radical attempt by My Runway Group to showcase the amazing things young people are doing nationwide. Our official charity partner is PAPYRUS and it is my intention that the charity will be a household name in London by the end of this year!

To find out more about My Runway Group, visit: http://www.myrunwaygroup.com/

11

who love and care about them. They push away anyone who tries to find out why they seem withdrawn or anxious. Why?

PAPYRUS member Nikki Williams lost her daughter Miranda to suicide in October 2016. She shares her story.

There’s so much pressure to be perfect, attractive, successful and popular that few are willing to share how they’re feeling.

Especially at a new job or university. They know others will judge them, so they struggle to appear ‘fine’. It is exhausting.

They spend more time alone.

Changing the

stigma around

mental health I never thought I’d be sitting here writing an article on the death of my daughter. It is still something I try to adjust to daily. Sometimes I think I’m OK and the next I’m plunged into despair, trying to understand exactly what happened all over again.

We encouraged her. It's a parent's job to support shaky steps into the world, each a little further away from us. We’re used to ignoring our discomfort as they leave us to go to school, do daring stunts on the climbing frame, or take us for a drive. It's so hard to tell the difference between natural fear and a strong feeling something’s wrong.

Miranda was an amazing young person.

She was beautiful, intelligent, funny, and loved by family and friends. However throughout her teenage years she battled with depression and anxiety. We thought, last year, that she was better. She got the grades she needed to go to Bristol University, had a lovely boyfriend and seemed much happier and more confident.

On 10th October, three weeks into her first term, Miranda decided to end her life. She put herself to bed in her darkened university room and went off the radar. When her flatmates called an ambulance on 12th October her phone was full of unanswered messages and calls. She died on 13th October with her Dad and myself beside her.

Miranda seemed excited and happy the day we dropped her at the halls of residence.

She posed for photos in her new room and after filling her fridge and settling her in we hugged her goodbye. We had no idea this would be the last time we’d see her.

12

Miranda (centre) with her sister Emily and her mother Nikki

We asked “Why?” We still do. We search for answers in her belongings, her friends’ stories, her notebooks and poems, our own family and behaviour.

The fact is that Miranda and many other young people hide their problems from those

There is no doubt in my mind that if there was no stigma attached to depression we would all have been relaxed and open about it, just as we would if Miranda had asthma or epilepsy. Miranda would have told the University of her past-history and set up some support for herself during those first few weeks away. How many of us tick that box on an application form that asks if we have ever suffered from depression? Very few, because we know we will encounter prejudice. This would have been her fear too.

“THERE'S SO MUCH PRESSURE TO BE PERFECT, ATTRACTIVE, SUCCESSFUL AND POPULAR THAT FEW ARE WILLING TO SHARE HOW THEY'RE FEELING” She saw a doctor at the medical centre and was given leaflets about counselling and antidepressants. Then she went back alone and unsupported to her room.

Miranda wasn’t going to lectures or tutorials, yet no one asked her why. One of the side effects of the drugs she was given the week before is that they could cause worsening of symptoms and suicidal thoughts, yet she began taking them without anyone knowing.

Surely when a young student with a history of depression seeks help from the doctorr

"I WANT TO REDIRECT THE ENERGY I WOULD HAVE PUT INTO CARING FOR MIRANDA, INTO MAKING SURE SHE IS REMEMBERED POSITIVELY" during her first weeks this should trigger something: a visit from the senior resident to her flat perhaps.

Two months earlier she was at Sixth Form College. Registers were taken of her attendance; counselling and support were offered by concerned staff if attendance was poor or she seemed unhappy. Suddenly she is in a hall of residence where staff watch a young person being taken through reception on a stretcher and do not inform her next of kin, or even tell their own student welfare department. There is no duty of care at all. It is down to individual universities how they care for new students.

Miranda always said she wanted to change the world for the better. She cared about others and felt we must be proactive in making life better for everyone. Hopefully the loss of this wonderful young person will bring about some positive change in our universities.

I want to redirect the energy I would have put into caring for Miranda, into making sure she is remembered positively. I want to help to change the stigma experienced by those of us with mental health problems. Maybe then our children will speak out about their pain just as they would any other kind of illness.

Miranda was brave, she went outside her comfort zone each day. Ordinary things made her anxious and desperate, yet she kept trying.

I am proud of her.

13

Thrive London

PAPYRUS wins 2017 Student's Choice Award

PAPYRUS Trustee Sangeeta shares how PAPYRUS is playing its part in Thrive London In 2015 the Mayor and the First Lady of New York City launched a bold and ambitious plan, `Thrive NYC', to improve the mental health of New Yorkers. It aimed to make mental health everyone's business through early intervention and equal access to care. By making better use of data, working with communities and strengthening the government's ability to lead, these aims are slowly being realised.

Earlier this year the Mayor of London and the London Health Board launched a similar initiative to enable London to step up and develop its own movement – so that every person, no matter who they are, can live happier, healthier lives. `Thrive London' builds on existing work, bringing together charities, city agencies, business partners and people with lived experience. PAPYRUS is represented by two of its Trustees, myself and Harry BiggsDavison. At its core is encouraging youth participation by reaching out to young people in educational and religious settings, putting emphasis on good parenting and focusing on vulnerable groups such as children in care. It encourages cross-faith, cross-borough and cross-generational learning.

Thrive London hopes to provide personal support to those seeking employment and looks to encourage a holistic approach in the workplace through the `This Is Me' project. It also aspires to break the stigma around mental illness and raise awareness through supporting `Time to Change'.

14

Sangeeta Mahajan, PAPYRUS Trustee and Co-Chair of Thrive London's Suicide Prevention Sub-Committee

London's suicide rate increased from 7.8 per 100,000 people in 2014, to 10.4 per 100,000 in 2015. We are focussing on the accuracy of data collection with the Coroner's office and, in collaboration with the Police and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, there will be extra vigilance towards the bridges across the Thames.

We want to ensure that e-learning in suicide awareness is available free to all Londoners. Each borough's suicide prevention plan will be supported so that they are effectively implemented.

Thrive London presents a unique opportunity for organisations and Londoners to work together and launch a conversation about suicide prevention.

It will run throughout the summer and enable all those who share our vision to think, talk and act towards a happy, healthy London.

1. Thrive New York: https://thrivenyc.cityofnewyork.us/ 2. Thrive London: http://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/health/londonhealth-board/thrive-london-improving-londonersmental-health-and-wellbeing 3. This Is Me: http://citymha.org.uk/this-is-me-in-the-city/ 4. Time To Change: www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-and-stigma

PAPYRUS staff Sarah Blackie and Catherine Parsons

PAPYRUS won the Student's Choice Award at the University of Chester's annual volunteering awards, in recognition of an outstanding student volunteering experience.

This was following a nomination by Lauren Cooper, a Youth Champion on our project funded by West Cheshire and Vale Royal Clinical Commissioning Groups last year.

Lauren also won the Outstanding Contribution to Community Award in recognition of her support to PAPYRUS and her commitment to raising awareness of young suicide prevention amongst her peers.

Lauren very kindly nominated PAPYRUS to receive the ÂŁ400 charitable donation.

Lauren, along with her fellow Youth Champion, Rosie Pendrous, was also shortlisted by PAPYRUS for the university's Charity's Choice award to recognise their contributions as volunteers last year.

"When I first met Lauren and Rosie, I was blown away by their enthusiasm for suicide prevention and support for students. They both went above and beyond as Youth Champions, finding creative ways to engage

PAPYRUS volunteers Lauren Cooper and Rosie Pendrous

their peers in suicide awareness and prevention; it was only right their efforts, passion and commitment were recognised", said Cat Parsons, PAPYRUS Community Projects Officer.

"I'm so proud to be able to represent PAPYRUS as a Youth Champion, and to raise funds and awareness for such an important cause," said Lauren. "PAPYRUS gave me so much support, and the opportunity to attend ASIST, which helped me to help others. For that I am beyond grateful. I am so glad that PAPYRUS won the Student's Choice Award. The charity provides an amazing volunteer experience! My hope is that more people can feel confident enough to start conversations about suicide, especially other young people, as friends at school or university are often the first and closest source of support."

PAPYRUS will continue to work closely with the University of Chester to raise awareness within the student community, as well as continuing measures undertaken by the University to upskill and train staff.

15

PAPYRUS is 20 in 2017

PAPYRUS at 20 - a Cause for Celebration

20 years of preventing young suicide

On the 22nd March 1997, six parents, Jean Kerr, Anna Brown, Margaret Brunskill, Andrea Linell, Anne Parry, Erika Price and Arthur Tomlinson, sat around a kitchen table in Lancashire. Brought together through the tragedy of losing a child to suicide, they were driven by the hope that, out of their loss, they could help prevent others from experiencing the grief they endured.

That day PAPYRUS was formed, the Parents' Association for the Prevention of Young Suicide. The founding members were driven

by Jean's belief that the medical profession, and those involved in education, had much to learn from the families and friends of young people who had died by suicide.

They built on Jean's work; campaigning for greater education in schools, the end of mental health-related stigma, and increased resources and funding for early intervention. They added to these their own personal perspectives to develop the ideas, beliefs and principles that PAPYRUS is based on today.

Twenty years on we wanted to recognise the contribution of our founder members, as well as the contributions of subsequent trustees, members, supporters and staff who have built PAPYRUS into the progressive and passionate national charity it is today.

16

With the support of the Big Lottery Fund's Celebrate! Programme, we held a series of events in Birmingham, Warrington and London for our PAPYRUS 'family': everyone who had a shared interest in preventing young suicide in the UK. Together we celebrated our achievements over the last 20 years. Together we celebrated our achievements over the last 20 years, communicated current activities, and shared our plans and what we hope to achieve in the future.

It is the contribution of those who have been affected by young suicide that makes PAPYRUS the unique charity it is today. At these events it was great to meet so many of our supporters, quite a few of you for the first time. We were delighted that you shared so many excellent ideas that we are now exploring for future development. Above all it was great to see many of you making new connections, and planning to work together to raise awareness of PAPYRUS and mental wellbeing in your communities.

“We, who have expe rienced such devasta tion, are driven by th that within the know e hope ledge that we have, lies the means to help others"

s progress PAPYRUS ha is gratif ying to see the it rst fi n, tio the ep in inc er nd its m ou fl s fro “Today 20 years on, und. So many charitie ingly that it is still aro vention is not the made and more amaz to strength. Suicide Pre gth en ” str m fro ing go r for us than for others few years, but we are probably been harde s ha it d an s tie ari ch most appealing of (Jean Kerr, PAPYRUS

Founder)

We speak about PAPYRUS as a family. We have always kept at the heart of what we do the experiences of those touched by young suicide, and shall continue to be shaped by your unique perspectives. Together we shall extend our reach to young people and save more young lives.

17

Confidentiality In The Context Of Suicide Prevention In all the years I have been practising medicine, there is one aspect of the doctor-patient relationship that arguably remains the most vexed. It is characterised by over-caution, lack of confidence, and misunderstanding of the laws that govern it. It is a looming presence, the fear of which can overwhelm the best of doctors and sometimes get in the way of acting in the best interests of their patient.

I am talking about patient confidentiality, in particular in the context of suicide prevention.

It arises when a clinician sees someone who they assess to be at risk of taking their own life. As a psychiatrist, I know that often the best asset here is someone close to the person in crisis, such as their partner, parent, carer or close friend. But when I suggest that it would be good if I could talk to them, the patient expresses unease and finally says no. Often, I am reasonably confident that this isn't the best call, but I am also trained to respect patient confidentiality at all costs.

There are no figures for how often health professionals err on the side of caution, and we will always hear more about 18

plan showing how they will be working to reduce suicide in high-risk locations and amongst high-risk groups.

Professor Sir Simon Wessely, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

instances where their decision not to share information may have contributed to the worst possible outcome for a patient who is severely depressed, rather than the occasions when their actions have prevented this. However, the painful experience of many parents who have lost their children to suicide is testament to the need to improve practice in this area.

“IN SUCH STRATEGIES, FAMILIES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF INFORMATION, ADVICE AND SUPPORT: POTENTIAL PARTNERS IN SUICIDE PREVENTION” In such strategies, families should be considered a potential source of information, advice and support: potential partners in suicide prevention.

The death in 2015 of Edward Mallen is one such example. His father has spoken openly about his son's death, and the fact that although Edward himself had not talked to his family about how depressed he was, he had given consent for medical professionals to speak to his parents about how he was feeling. Yet, even with permission, they did not.

In 2014, the Royal College of Psychiatrists was one of nine signatories to a Consensus Statement on Information sharing and suicide prevention prepared by the Department of Health. This is unambiguous that the duty of confidentiality is no justification for not listening to the views of family members and friends. This can aid risk assessment, care and treatment, and good practice includes providing families with non-person specific information in their own right, such as how to access services in a crisis, and support services for carers.

This is important. Suicide is now the leading cause of death among men aged 15-49 in England and Wales; the Westminster Parliament's Health Select Committee recently held an Inquiry into Suicide Prevention, and The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health has set an ambition to reduce the numbers of people in England taking their own lives by 10% by 2020/21.

To support this, every area in England must develop a multi-agency suicide prevention

It also clearly states that when a practitioner is satisfied that a suicidal patient lacks capacity to make a decision about sharing information about their suicide risk, they should use their professional judgement to determine what is in the person's best interest. The Health Select Committee has recommended that more needs to be done to ensure consistent health trust guidance in this area, and to provide appropriate training on these issues for medical staff.

Now, I am not stupid. I know what any professional reading this piece is thinking: what if I get this wrong, or, more accurately, what if someone thinks I have got it wrong?

The spectre of the GMC, other regulatory bodies or the Courts looms large in their thinking, and I am not surprised. 'Safety first' becomes the agenda. But I think these concerns, although understandable, are overstated. In my experience, if doctors make well-justified, well-recorded decisions to share information in the best interest of a patient who is in suicidal crisis, consistent with their professional codes of practice, this will be understood, respected and upheld in courts of law.

My College will emphasise these approaches as we revise our guidance on suicide and selfharm. This will be an important contribution to changing culture and practice in this area.

However, this responsibility must be shared, and be recognised as core to all suicide prevention work.

This is an updated version of Professor Sir Simon Wessely's blog that originally appeared in The Huffington Post on 6 December 2016.

Follow Professor Sir Simon Wessely on Twitter: @WesselyS Editor's note: The National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England states, 'there are clearly times when mental health service practitioners, in dealing with a person at risk of suicide, may need to inform the family about aspects of risk to help keep the patient safe.' PAPYRUS will continue to press for improved information sharing to save young lives.

“THE DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT LISTENING TO THE VIEWS OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS” 19

'

PAPYRUS launches new training course

Training with PAPYRUS

Supporting young people through self-harm and suicide In the last year, we have seen an increase in young people talking to us about self-harming behaviour; using self-harm as a way of coping with difficult emotions, but also as something that can impact on – or increase – their thoughts of suicide. Current research also indicates that previous self-harm can increase the likelihood of an individual acting on thoughts of suicide.(1)

Gary Thomas is Operations Manager within the Residential Life Team at Staffordshire University. His team completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) with PAPYRUS in February 2017.

He reports on the impact it has had...

ASIST was the only course that the team attended where nobody was caught being distracted or looking out of the window!

During the two days we explored scenarios, reactions, stereotypes and how to deal with crisis situations. By the end of the course we all felt really energised.

We have since used ASIST on several occasions, and we feel confident in delivering the appropriate response. One member of our team recently met with a student who has a history of self-harm and receives support from the Student Enabling Centre. Prior to undertaking ASIST with PAPYRUS, she had felt concerned about how best to support the student and felt she was `skirting around the elephant in the room'. In contrast, following ASIST, she felt an immediate difference in the dynamic between her and the student. She felt much more able to maintain eye contact and listen more intently. They ended up having a forty minute conversation and she credited PAPYRUS' training in empowering her and giving her the confidence to talk about suicide.

20

As part of the course, all of our staff were provided with a suicide intervention `pocket guide', and now carry this with them when on duty. We are proud to display the ASIST logo in our reception area along with our staff ID, to ensure both students and staff know they can approach us to talk to us about suicide or if they are concerned about a young person.

We put our experience down to the knowledge, commitment, dedication and energy of our PAPYRUS trainers. We would highly recommend this course to anyone in frontline services.

PAPYRUS is continuing to work closely with universities across the UK to educate and equip both frontline staff and students with the skills necessary to intervene when a young person is at risk of suicide.

For more information, visit our website or email: training@papyrus-uk.org

“WE ARE PROUD TO DISPLAY THE ASIST LOGO IN OUR RECEPTION AREA... TO ENSURE BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF KNOW THEY CAN APPROACH US TO TALK TO US ABOUT SUICIDE”

We have also identified a demand for increased awareness and education from professionals supporting young people who self-harm or experience thoughts of suicide. Professionals have told us that they lack the confidence around what to say or do in order to effectively support those in their care. The result is that young people are increasingly feeling unsupported and ill-equipped to manage their self-harm. Similar results were also found in research, including the recent `Talking Self-Harm' report commissioned by Young Minds.(2) In response to this, PAPYRUS has designed a full-day training product, aimed specifically at professionals who support young people up to the age of 35. An interactive learning experience, participants will have the opportunity to take part in simulations and role-play activities to help develop their confidence and ability to support a young person. The programme has been created from a combination of interviews with young people talking frankly about their experience of selfharming, our experiences supporting young people on HOPELineUK, and recent research findings.

Following the training, participants will have an increased understanding of the nature of self-harm, the relationship between self-harm and suicide, the impact of helpful and unhelpful language when discussing self-harm and suicide, and an awareness of encouraging `safer harming' and harm reduction.

This product will be available from September - to find out more visit our website www.papyrus-uk.org and book in advance by emailing training@papyrus-uk.org 1. Cooper et al. (2005) Suicide After Deliberate Self-Harm: a 4-Year Cohort Study Am. J Psychiatry; 162:297-303; Bergen et al. (2011). How do methods of non-fatal self-harm relate to eventual suicide? Journal of Affective Disorders 136, 526 -533.

2. Young Minds and Cello (2012) Talking Self-harm. [online] http://www.cellogroup.com/pdfs/talking_self_harm.pdf

Suicide Safer Communities Volunteer Project Thank you once again to everyone who helped PAPYRUS secure vital funds from the Aviva Community Fund at the start of 2017. We were awarded £25,000 to engage with 70 volunteers, who will be trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) by the end of July. We will also provide support to each volunteer, who will deliver two suicide prevention activities in their community. We are pleased to have engaged a wide variety of individuals in this project, including student nurses, paramedics, housing support officers, university counsellors and chaplains.

21

Thank you to Team PAPYRUS! Our brilliant supporters have been very busy over the past few months – running, cycling, swimming, walking and everything in between! Thank you to everyone who has taken part in or supported an event, donated, or helped to raise awareness. Here are some of the amazing people who make up #TeamPAPYRUS.

HOPEWALK HOPEWalk is back for 2017! It will take place between 7th - 15th October, encompassing World Mental Health Day on the 10th October. We need YOU to become a #HOPEWalkHero! To get involved, check out our website or email our fundraising team.

Michelle, Mike, Karen, Caroline, Paula, Julie, Debbie and Clair raised over £2,000 by taking part in the Halifax Long March and walking 26.2 miles…in the dark!

Eleanor and Joanne tested themselves by taking on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, walking over 100km!

Becky and Jessica braved the altitude to tackle Tanzania's trickiest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro – together they raised over £3,000!

A big shout out to all our London Marathon runners. Together they raised over £4,000!

Well done to the 13 runners who took part in the Vitality 10k and the British 10k, as well as the 25 dedicated Nightrider cyclists who pedaled 100km across London, Bristol and Liverpool.

Fundraisers Joanne and Jason took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks in memory of their son, Ben, accompanied by over 30 of Ben's schoolmates.

They climbed The Yorkshire Three Peaks in 10 hours and have raised over £4,000 so far!

Barbara and Hannah tackled the Jurassic Coast challenge in March and raised over £1,200 – here they are celebrating!

Hannah completed a 10 day trek across the Great Wall of China. Hannah completely selffunded her trip and smashed her £500 target!

We were proud to again be walking with our PAPYRUS Champions at Birmingham Pride this year.

Vital support to save young lives Thank you to the staff at M&S Customer Service Chester Branch and Hazel Grove Food Hall, Co-Op Food in Garden Village Wrexham, Co-Op HR Shared Services Manchester, as well as Chester Inner Wheel and many others across the UK who have chosen to support PAPYRUS. We are delighted to have been selected by the new Warrington Mayor, Les Morgan, as one of the mayoral charities for 2017-2018.

If your organisation would like to support PAPYRUS, please contact our fundraising team on fundraising@papyrus-uk.org, or call the office on 01925 572 444. @papyrus_tweets 22

@papyrus_uk

Charlotte bravely decided to shave her hair off for PAPYRUS and raised over £3,000, as well as donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust. Here she is rocking her new look!

@PAPYRUSUK

we’re also on Linkedin!

Baz runs a gym with a difference – with as much focus on mental health as physical. Baz and his team of friends rowed 55 miles from Ramsgate to Belgium – an epic 16 hour row!

The Gin O'Clock Team raised over £4,400 by hiking the Three Peaks in 24 hours in April in memory of their friend, Mike. They finished it in under 24 hours – finishing it with two minutes to spare!

Congratulations to PAPYRUS Champion Michelle Quested, who received a Special Recognition Award at the Pride of Birmingham Awards in April.

A big well done to Kelly who ran in the Shakespeare marathon and raised nearly £1,500 in memory of her friend Helena.

Making a monthly donation We need your help to save more young lives. Just £5 could pay for a call to help save a young life. You can set up a monthly donation at www.papyrus-uk.org/donate 23

1

10

PAPYRUS Campaigns

2

Changing the law

Applying the Criminal Standard of Proof to suicide perpetuates stigma and obscures the true scale of suicide in England and Wales

3 5

4

Building suicide-safer schools Over 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year in the UK - we need a school-wide approach to suicide prevention

Working towards a suicide-safer internet

Stopping suicide stigma in the insurance industry We believe that life insurance policies must not exclude suicide

9

Talking openly about suicide

Language matters. We aim to equip people with the words and skills to kick-start a life-saving conversation

Service providers do not always meet the needs of those at risk of suicide - we campaign to improve access to quality and timely support

Mandating suicide prevention training

We believe this must be a requirement for all healthcare professionals

sensitive and 6 Encouraging appropriate reporting

We encourage and monitor responsible reporting of young suicide - download our media guidelines at www.papyrus-uk.org/media

We continue to press government, social networks and internet service providers to reduce online suicide risks to children and young people

7

Improving services

8

Better information sharing

Working with professionals to understand the appropriateness of information sharing to prevent young suicide

10 Learning lessons

Involving families in investigations into suicide so that lived experience can help prevent future suicides

These are just some of our campaigns. PAPYRUS acts on the experiences of our members and service users by campaigning for the protection of young people at risk of suicide.

We believe that everyone has a role to play in preventing young suicide.

Visit https://papyrus-uk.org/about/our-campaigns to learn more and find out how you can help.

PAPYRUS is 20 in 2017

20 years of preventing young suicide Suicide is the biggest killer of young people – male and female – aged under 35 in the UK. Young suicide is everyone's business and we all have a role to play in preventing it.

There is help and hope. HOPELineUK on 0800 068 41 41, text 07786 209 697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org