Suicide - awareness and support

NHS:

• If you you are thinking of ending your life or have seriously harmed yourself in some way, dial 999 and ask for the Ambulance Service or ask someone else to do this for you. Alternatively go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
   
• You can find your local Urgent Mental Health Line by visiting the NHS website. The First Response Service (FRS) puts you and your mental health first, providing a service seven days a week, 365 days a year.
  • If you're Devon based (excl Plymouth): Devon Partnership NHS Trust - 0808 196 8708. 
  • If you're Plymouth based: Livewell Southwest - 0800 923 9323. 
  • If you're Cornwall based: Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - 0800 038 5300.
  • If you're Somerset based: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 0800 138 1692.

Free, 24/7 text/email/forum/call support:

• Samaritans: 24 hr helpline offering emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Helpline: 116 123 (free of charge from a landline or mobile) or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24hrs
  
• SHOUT: text 85258 for 24/7 help from a crisis volunteer.
• Breaking The Silence SF: a website for suicidal people and those in mental health crisis. Online forums, chat, information and support.

In an emergency: Call 999 or take them to A&E and stay with them until they are seen by a member of the mental health team.

• This leaflet provides information about what to do if you are worried about someone. This guidance was developed at the University of Exeter Medical School, in collaboration with The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities (TASC), and produced by Devon County Council.
• Remember – it is safe to talk about suicide with someone if they seem really down and you think they might be thinking about ending their life.

• You can find your local Urgent Mental Health Line by visiting the NHS website. The First Response Service (FRS) puts you and your mental health first, providing a service seven days a week, 365 days a year.
  • If you're Devon based (excl Plymouth): Devon Partnership NHS Trust - 0808 196 8708. 
  • If you're Plymouth based: Livewell Southwest - 0800 923 9323. 
  • If you're Cornwall based: Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - 0800 038 5300.
  • If you're Somerset based: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 0800 138 1692.

If in doubt, follow the ALGEE steps:

• A – ASSESS for risk of suicide or harm. Call 999 if there is an immediate risk.
• L – LISTEN non-judgmentally. 
• G – GIVE information and encouragement. 
• E – ENCOURAGE professional help. 
• E – ENCOURAGE self help or other support.

• Spectrum Life is our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which is a confidential, neutral service provided by an external company to support colleagues at the University. They provide free counselling for colleagues. 
• If you are experiencing anxiety or depression it can help to talk to your manager who can refer you to Occupational Health for support. Alternatively, you can make a self-referral direct to the Occupational Health Team. 
• The Access to Work Mental Health Support - a confidential service delivered by Remploy funded by the Department of Works and Pensions is available at no charge to any employees with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work.
• NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)- an NHS support you can refer yourself directly to for talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies and guided self-help. 
• Taking good care of ourselves can really help us to stay mentally well. Take a look at the ‘Self-care and staying well’ section for resources and advice.

• Relias and the Zero Suicide Alliance offer free online training on talking about suicide (20-30 minutes)