Suicide and Self-Harm Research North West Conference

The facilitators: Kathryn Gardner, Caroline Clements, Pooja Saini, Peter Taylor.
The presenters and master of ceremonies (left to right): Jane Boland, Angela Samata, Camerone Latham, Carl O’Loughlin, Pooja Saini, Ellen Townsend.

Experts from across the North West have come together at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to share their experiences and knowledge of suicide and self-harm.

The Suicide and Self-Harm Research North West (SSHaRE NoW) Conference provided an opportunity to network and discuss identified research priorities.

It featured presentations by Professor Ellen Townsend (Self-Harm Research Group) and Jane Boland (James Place Non-Clinical Suicidal Crisis Service for Men) on their current research.

Service users Carl O’Loughlin (Cheshire Wirral Partnership) and Cameron Latham (Imago Training Ltd) presented an expert-by-experience insight, while Dr Pooja Saini (LJMU) presented preliminary findings from a SSHaRE NoW study.

Dr Saini, along with Dr Peter Talor (University of Manchester), Dr Kathryn Gardner (UCLAN) and Dr Caroline Clements (University of Manchester) led project groups on the priorities of research from the study.

Representatives from third sector organisations, supporting people who self-harm or experience suicidal behaviours, were also in attendance.

The event was hosted by LJMU Honorary Fellow, Angela Samata (presenter of the BAFTA-nominated BBC film ‘Life after suicide’), who said: “I would like to thank everyone for bringing their experiences and skills together as sharing knowledge and information are such an important part of research.”

LJMU’s Dr Pooja Saini, who co-ordinated the event, said: “This has been a very successful event in discussing the research priorities for our region and how we may move the ideas forward.”

Moni Akinsanya, LJMU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said: "An excellent conference! It was a different experience with people who are service users themselves speaking to us. Definitely, the event provided so much food for thought.

“For me, one of the things that stood out was the contribution of young people with lived experiences of self-harm and suicidal thoughts in researches nationally. This will go to add value to the much needed relevant and modern interventions we desperately need in this area".