Every 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
And mental health illness affects millions of people in the UK daily.  

by Nic Reed - Advisory Board Member

Neither discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. Suicide can touch anyone. Similarly, mental health conditions and illnesses – they are as prevalent as physical illnesses but not at widely recognised or accepted.

As a result, suicide is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. With men being three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet suicide and mental health are rarely spoken of, taboo subjects that threaten to continue their damage unless we all stop and take notice, now and end the stigma.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help and ultimately save lives.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

 

If you have concerns about yourself, a relative or a friend you can speak to your or their GP in confidence

 

If you have immediate concerns

  • Phone NHS 111 or
  • Local NHS Mental Health Services

for advice

 

In an emergency

  • Phone 999

 

or attend

  • a GP surgery or
  • A&E or Minor Injury Unit at a hospital

 

Support is also available for  military veterans and UK ASIS UK members from

  • PTSD Resolution –
Providing counselling for former armed forces,
reservists & families. For free, immediate help, local
or online, call 0300 302 0551 contact@ptsdresolution.org

 

This is non-crisis and non-emergency support, although they will sign post in emergencies but are not an emergency service.

 

Other sources of help and advice

 

There are several apps available on smart phones including

  • HeadSpace
  • TheMighty

that are worth looking at, some elements are freely accessible, and other parts require a paid subscription

 

COVID UPDATE –

During COVID,  the HeadSpace app has been made available for free to all NHS employees, including those in the extended field of Healthcare Security Management.

 

The NHS website also contains pages of useful information and guidance

www.nhs.uk

 

And for specific workplace mental health issues

https://www.everymindatwork.com/

 

In Your Workplace

 

Those working in the NHS and Healthcare Environments – your own organisations are likely to have Staff Welfare Programs or Employee Assistance Services that can provide expert and confidential advice and support. Nothing goes on your employment record!

 

Occupational Health Departments and Nurses within organisation can often provide similar support.

 

It is also worth checking your staff webpages, as increasingly TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) services and Psychological Assistance services are available in workplaces for those who are struggling with the effects of situations, whether work or externally caused… or even if you don’t know why but you or a colleague are suffering. These might be listed under Welfare or Well Being.

 

Charities and Independent Organisations

 

There are many charities and independent organisation offering help and support. Some are general, some are specialist… here is a selection of some of the leading ones