Evaluation of Lancashire and South Cumbria’s suicide prevention training programmes and community-based projects
Suicide
is a serious public health problem, accounting for half of all violence-related
deaths globally. Across England, Lancashire and South Cumbria had the second
highest suicide rate in 2012-14 (12.6 per 100,000 population). The high level
of suicide in Lancashire and South Cumbria has been recognised as a key
priority and a suicide prevention strategy has been developed with the aim of
reducing the number of people taking their own life by 10% by 2021 compared to
2016/17 rates. This study evaluated two of the key activities implemented as
part of the broader piece of work: a suite of training programmes on suicide
prevention, self-harm intervention and, mental health and resilience; and, an
Innovation Fund to support community-based projects. Key findings from the study
suggested that the training programmes were associated with significant
improvements in trainees’: attitudes to intervention work; confidence to
intervene with at risk individuals; knowledge on suicide/self-harm; and, skills
in appropriate clinical responses to disclosures from pre to post-training
measurement. Reported outcomes from the Innovation Fund community projects
suggested increased awareness of suicide risk and support services amongst
project participants and their wider communities, and improved mental
wellbeing. Such outcomes represent a vital step in achieving the long-term aim
of a reduction in suicide rates across Lancashire and South Cumbria by 2021.
