‘We can all do our bit to address Somerset's suicide rate’

It’s a sad fact that the suicide rate in Somerset stands at 12.7 per 100,000, which is above the national average. 

That means that each year, on average, 60 to 65 people lose their lives to suicide.

Now, we can shrug our shoulders, turn the other way, and say: “Oh that is sad…” Or we can all play our part to address the problem. And we do all have a part to play.

I have said in this column before that simply listening to people – PROPERLY – can make a huge difference. 

So next time you ask a friend who’s feeling a bit down: “How are you doing today?, and they reply: “I’m ok.”, how about you say: “Now tell me how you’re REALLY feeling?” 

Maybe, just maybe, you’re the real listening ear they were waiting for. They will identify you as someone who really wants to know, really cares.

I’m impressed that Public Health in Somerset is doing something practical to address the problem. They’re appealing to sports and community clubs to partner with them to help reduce the number of suicides in the county.

They’re planning to run a series of free suicide prevention courses, training people on how to spot the early signs, to raise awareness of the issue and show people how to access local support services.

They are hoping that sports and community clubs and hubs across Somerset will partner with them, to offer their facilities for nothing in exchange for training for their staff and volunteers. Groups that are interested can contact: everylifematters@somerset.gov.uk

Suicide prevention charity CALM unveiled its Missing Birthdays installation in London last month. (Image: David Parry)

As friends, family members and colleagues, we are most likely to be the first to notice when something doesn’t seem right with someone. Training can give people confidence to start a conversation which could save a life. So if you see a course near you, book onto it!

It follows on from a scheme launched by the charity Mind in Somerset a while ago called The Orange Button. The button is worn by people who have undergone quality assured mental health training. While they can’t counsel people, they can help point you in the right direction – and they are that important listening ear.

As a Deputy Lieutenant in Somerset, I am part of our “health forum” and recently we had a presentation all about what is called Open Mental Health. It was fascinating to hear how Somerset is actually well ahead of the game when it comes to dealing with mental health issues.

Open Mental Health is a network of local voluntary, community and charity organisations and the NHS, working in partnership to ensure that residents of Somerset get the support they need, when they need it.

Now that may not sound revolutionary – but the fact is that in most areas of the country the voluntary sector and the NHS have deep-rooted suspicions of one another and don’t work together!

Somerset has broken the mould – and it’s working, to the extent that there’s been a 16 per cent reduction in adult inpatient admissions to hospital and a 30 per cent drop in the number of people with mental health issues turning up in hospital A and E departments.

Other areas of the country are now studying the Somerset model closely.

So steps in the right direction – but we still need to address our suicide rate. And, as I’ve said already, maybe we can all do our bit.