August 2018
Acting In Desperation
Welcome to the August e-bulletin which this month focuses on suicide prevention in readiness for World Suicide Prevention Day which is held every year on 10 September. Suicide prevention remains a universal challenge. Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds. Every life lost represents someone’s partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected. This amounts to 108 million people per year who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviour. (IASP, 2018) To find out more information on this topic, visit the PHNC website. The Network held a ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’ Seminar at Sophia Gardens which was very successful. All presentations and the evaluation report can be found on our website.
@PHNetworkCymru
We are in the process of planning our next Seminar which is due to take place on 11th October 2018 in North Wales. Details can be found in the ‘Grapevine’ section of the ebulletin.
Please get in touch with any information you would like to include on the website or e-bulletin by contacting us at publichealth. network@wales.nhs.uk
Spotlight on Suicide Prevention World Suicide Prevention Day: Cycle Around the Globe
As part of World Suicide Prevention Day, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IA
The purpose is to raise awareness of the risks of suicide and to fund essential resources to sup participants can cycle at home, on the roads, at the gym or as part of a race. Further information about this event can be found on the IASP website.
Emergency hospital admissions for alcohol a red flag for suicide ris
Patients admitted to hospital in an emergency for alcohol-related reasons are at significantly hig have self-harmed, according to a new report.
The study by Public Health Wales and Cardiff and Swansea Universities found that these patient been admitted for alcohol-related reasons.
Although the total number of suicides was greater in men, the risk increase was greater in wom
The risk of suicide was greatest in patients with mental health difficulties - but an increased risk
Dr Bethan Bowden from Public Health Wales said: “For the first time we know that emergency a for women. “This is important because patients, many of whom will have no previously reported mental increased risk of suicide.
ASP) are inviting people to take part in this global event to collectively cycle the globe.
pport suicide preventions activities. It is being held between the 1st and 17th September and
sk - new study
gher risk of suicide - and should be treated by hospital staff in a similar way to patients who
ts were 27 times more likely to go on to take their own life compared with those who had not
men, who had a 29 times greater risk. The risk was 10 times greater for men.
k was also associated with patients with no previously reported mental health issues.
alcohol-related hospital admission is associated with an increased risk of suicide – especially health concerns, could be being treated without exploring underlying issues linked to an
“Hospital staff are in a unique position to assess patients who may not otherwise come forwa who have been identified as self-harming: undertake a psycho-social assessment, and refer th
“This study indicates a need to consider targeted interventions for patients admitted to hospita
Alcohol use is known to be associated with a higher risk of future suicide, but this is the first st
The study was published in medical journal in PLosOne on 27 April 2018. It followed all Welsh r with an emergency alcohol-related admission, including acute intoxication, alcohol dependenc
Suicide is the leading cause of death in the UK for men aged 20-49 years and women aged 20
Public Health Wales is concerned about the harms caused by alcohol, and this is a priority area a result of harmful alcohol use.
ard for help. Our advice to clinicians is that these patients should be treated similarly to those hem to mental health services if appropriate.
al with an alcohol-related condition as part of a suicide prevention strategy.�
tudy to identify the association with emergency alcohol-related admissions.
residents, aged from 10 to 100, for six years. It looked at patients who were admitted to hospital ce, as well as physical health complications related to alcohol use.
0-34 years.
a the organisation is working on to reduce the number of people being admitted to hospital as
North Wales Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Plan launched Public Health Wales has led the launch of a new plan to prevent suicide and self-harm in North
Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), local authorities, North action plan, which aims to reduce suicide and self-harm over the next three years. Professor Robert Atenstaedt, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with BCUHB’s Public Health
“Our team led the sub-group of the North Wales Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Group which
“We also contributed on the day by presenting on the plan contents, helping to facilitate the wo stakeholders attending.”
The plan was identified as a key priority in BCUHB’s recently published mental health strategy, a with a physical illness; children and young people with a background of vulnerability; people in
Key actions in the delivery plan include improved outcomes for people experiencing a mental h risk of suicide or self-harm and the development of data on suicide and self-harm in North Wale Click here to read the North Wales Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategic Plan.
Wales.
h Wales Police, Network Rail and third sector groups worked together to develop the strategic Team, said:
h developed the plan and also organised the launch event.
orkshops and by providing administrative support. The event was a great success with other 80
and will focus on priority groups across North Wales which include men in mid-life; older people contact with mental health services.
health crisis, further training for professionals who frequently come into contact with people at es.
Thematic review of deaths of children and young people through probable suicide, 2013-2017 In 2019, the Child Death Review Programme will be publishing a Thematic review of deaths of children and young people through probable suicide, 2013-2017. This will be an update to the Thematic review of deaths of children and young people through probable suicide, 2006-2013, which was published in 2014.
EuroHealthNet: Approaches to suicide prevention and Mental Health Promotion EuroHealthNet hosted a Country Exchange Visit in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2017 in collaboration with the Stockholm County Council, under the topic “Approaches to suicide prevention and Mental Health Promotion�. During this Country Exchange Visit, delegates from Belgium, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, the Netherlands and United Kingdom had the opportunity to explore ongoing initiatives to support good mental health at both the European and national level, and to facilitate exchange of best practices and best policies in regard to mental health promotion, and suicide prevention policies and services across EU countries. The full report of the visit, including lessons learnt, next steps and potential partnerships can be accessed via the EuroHealthNet website.
Good Practices in Mental Health & Well-being: Mental health at work, in schools, prevention of depression and suicide This booklet presents good practices on mental health and well-being identified across the European Union. While many research institutions, care centres, nongovernmental organizations, and governments within the EU conduct programmes and practices centred on mental health, it can be difficult to find information about them and ensure their use and expansion to other settings. The full report can be accessed via the European Commission website.
A Fragment of an Adolescent Poem by RP I find the sketch, “SUICIDE 15 MINS�. The black art-book rests casually against his red chair. Again, my mouth shapes O and ice. Unsteadily, I try to piece it together. The capitals, short and loud, confer the NOW. Confirm the strong intent to die. The deliberated choice of method is knife, chest-embedded. Black ink pouring out. A biopsychosocial model gives an explanation. It makes no sense here. I cannot do the maths. On his desk, the Opinel 8 lies straight with intent. The hypothesis he draws answers death. I cannot undo the formulation. The paradigm shift is an imploding star. The answer to the Koan of life and death is now. Now, a shared constellation. My love is sentinel. But death is the relentless immortal enemy. Inevitably separates life. I hope, like a thorn. The fragile paper holding the trajectory, for now.
Suicide is a leading cause of death, particularly among young people.1 A recent study 2 shows that the incidence of suicide in adolescent males aged 15–17 years was more than twice that in females. Young men may find it difficult to talk about suicidal thoughts, due to the taboo and stigma in our society.3 Talking to someone empathetically about how they are feeling, and whether they are feeling suicidal, can make all the difference.4 Even non-verbal approaches, like a drawing, can be a communication channel for a young person in a time of crisis. If someone is feeling suicidal, they can call the Samaritans to talk at any time, on 116 123 (freephone) The young person who drew the sketch wished to share this information with you, to ensure support for young people experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings.
REFERENCES Public Health Wales. 2018. Suicide and Self Harm. Available at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/ page/65108 (Accessed 13 February 2018). 1
Geulayov, G., Casey, D., McDonald, K. C., Foster, P., Pritchard, K., Wells, C., Clements, C., Kapur, N., Ness, J., Waters, K. and Hawton, K. 2018. Incidence of suicide, hospital-presenting non-fatal self-harm, and community-occurring non-fatal self-harm in adolescents in England (the iceberg model of self-harm): a retrospective study. The Lancet,5 (2), pp. 167-174. 2
3
World Health Organization. 2014. Preventing Suicide. A Global Imperative. Geneva. WHO.
Dazzi, T., Gribble, R., Wessely, S. and Fear, N.T. 2014. Does asking about suicide and related behaviours induce suicidal ideation? What is the evidence? Psychological Medicine, 44 (16), pp. 3361-3363.
4
The Headlines #StayAlive The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help a person stay safe in crisis. It can be used if a person is having thoughts of suicide or if someone is concerned about another person who may be considering suicide.
Samaritans promote extended hours of Welsh language line at National Eisteddfod 2018 Samaritans are promoting the extended opening hours for their Welsh Language Line at this years National Eisteddfod, as they increase the level of support available to Welsh speakers. The Samaritans Welsh Language support line had previously been open 28 hours a week but has now been increased to 49 hours.
New High Court Judgement on Suicide Rulings Will Save Young Lives National charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide welcomes the new ruling that the civil standard of proof (on the balance of probabilities) should now be used by coroners in reaching a conclusion of suicide at inquest rather than using the criminal standard (beyond all reasonable doubt).
Artificial intelligence and electronic health records could help suicide prevention efforts Manifesto for Walking and Cycling Each year around 800,000 people across the world take their own lives, leading to a huge impact on family, the community and health professionals. However, the majority of people who take their own lives attend services other than mental health in their final year for apparently unrelated reasons. Now new research has looked at ways of using this health information to identify the most vulnerable. The findings, which have just been published, revealed that more than 80 per cent of suicide cases studied had had at least one contact with their GP during their last year.
There’s been an increasing focus on young people with food allergies over the last few years, due to several deaths related to food allergy incidents. The Food Standards Agency has insight that suggests young adults are reluctant to talk publicly about having an allergy, for example they are disinclined to highlight this to food businesses when they order a takeaway or eat out. This group is also more likely to take risks when eating, and sometimes don’t want to carry their Epi pen with them. To help address this, the Agency is launching a campaign entitled #easytoASK with the aim of raising awareness among young people (16-24) of their rights when it comes to the provision of allergen information when eating out. Our research has demonstrated that this age group often don’t feel confident about speaking up about their allergy – something that the Agency want to address and encourage them to speak up about their allergies among friends and to servers when eating out. As part of the campaign, due to launch in September, the FSA will also be aiming to increase food businesses’ understanding of the importance of complying with allergen regulations and the benefits of asking for allergen information from their customers. If you’d like to further information or could help in spreading these messages please contact: caroline.kitson@food.gov.uk
On the Grapevine
Food Allergen Campaign: #easytoASK
Watch, Listen and Learn Podcasts We are pleased to announce that we have a new series of podcasts available for you to listen to on our website. Public Health Network Cymru have worked with a number of organisations to produce podcasts which can be downloaded and listened to on the go. All the podcasts are available in the ‘Get Involved’ section of the website.
Youtube Workplace Mental Health & Wellbeing: Employing Best Practice
Alcohol Children and Young People Communities Education Environment Gambling Gender Homelessness Lifestyle Maternal and Newborn Mental Health Noncommunicable Diseases Nutrition Older People Oral Health Parents People with disabilities Pharmacy Physical Activity Policy Poverty Prisoners Research and Evidence Sexual Health Sexuality Smoking Substance Misuse Unemployment Veterans Violence and Abuse Work
Whats on in
September
3
4
5
10
11
12
6
13
7
14
‘ENRICH’ Cymru North Wales Launch Conwy Business Centre
17
18
19 Mental Health 2018: Delivering the Five Year Forward View
20
RSM London
24
25 Cardiff
26
Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation: Developing a Multi-Agency Approach to Safeguard and Support Victims
Central London
21
Understanding and Responding to Bullying Behaviours Cardiff
27
Feasibility Studies for Complex Public Health Interventions Glamorgan Building Cardiff
28 ‘Sex, Lies & the Internet’: Trying to understand the difference between online sexual abuse & sexual exploration Cardiff
In the next issue Healthy places and sPaces