Preventing Suicide across Sheffield

Sheffield CCG is working with partners across the city (including the voluntary sector) to adopt a proactive strategy for suicide prevention. Following a 'zero suicide' approach, this strategy, developed by the city-wide Suicide Prevention Strategy Group, is designed to build individual and community resilience, aiming to make Sheffield a city that supports people through the difficulties they face, making sure suicide is not considered as an option to take.

Working with GPs

Mental Health experts have worked closely with GPs across Sheffield to deliver training and support in order to develop their expertise in talking directly about suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and how to respond appropriately.

Dr Steve Thomas, Clinical Director of the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities & Dementia, said: “Suicide prevention is not the sole responsibility of any one sector or of health services alone. However, of those people who take their own life, between half and two thirds will have visited their GP in the month before doing so and up to 40% in the week prior to death.

“Primary Care staff are therefore in a particularly important position in the detection and management of those at risk of suicide.

“GPs and their wider team can make a huge difference - making the most of every contact, we could save a life.”

The educational support covered a wide range of topics, including communication, consulting on depression, and 'social prescribing' to employment support and debt management.

Supporting young people

The CCG have also helped develop a suicide prevention ‘pathway’ for young people this year, which establishes better links between child and adolescent mental health services and schools. The pathway has also introduced training for school, support for those affected, tools for practitioners and a one-stop-shop for advice and counselling service for young people up to the age of 25.

Dr Thomas said: “We recognise how important it is to promote good mental health early in peoples’ lives; providing an easily accessible, safe place to talk and to get help is a vital part of our work with young people.”

For more information, please read the Centre of Mental Health report ‘Aiming for Zero Suicides’.

You can also read more about the Children and Young Person Suicide Prevention Pathway here.