Agenda item

This update summarises the work overseen during 2020/2022 by the Bath and North East Somerset Strategic Suicide Prevention Group. It provides background and context to the subject, a brief overview of suicide prevention in B&NES and key achievements during this time.

The Associate Director for Public Health introduced the report to the Panel. He explained that in 2020 the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2020-2023 was launched outlining the commitment from all partners to work together to reduce suicide in B&NES, aligning to the BSW Suicide Prevention Strategy.

He said that the Strategic Suicide Prevention Group has in this time carried out work within schools, the Community & Wellbeing Hub and supported the work of Bath Mind - Breathing Space.

He informed the Panel that the Group has worked with Avon & Somerset Police and the local Coroner to receive notification within a day of any suicide taking place.

He spoke of the Beside project service which is run by Second Step and said that the provision of this service is a commitment from the NHS Long Term Plan funding. He said that the service began running in July 2021 and offers emotional and practical support within a few days after losing someone to suicide for people over 16years old, whether they are a family member, next of kin or a loved one.

He stated that a stakeholder event had been held last week to begin to establish priorities for a future strategy.

He said that the number of incidents locally (48) had fallen in B&NES during 2019-2021. Female and male rates both fell with the male rate still slightly higher than the England average. This was the lowest 3-year rate since 2009-2011.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that 25% of people who committed suicide had been in contact with health professionals, usually a doctor in the last week before they died and that many had seen a health professional / doctor a month before. She asked are there any links / sharing of information between the Integrated Care Board with its GP surgeries and the suicide prevention team which could prevent some deaths happening. If not, could something be put in place.

The Associate Director for Public Health replied that a GP representative does sit on the Strategic Suicide Prevention Group and that training and workforce development on this subject was ongoing across the BSW footprint. He added that the GP discussions may have been about pain or symptoms and not mentioned suicide.

Councillor Hardman referred to page 42 of the agenda and the proposed action to increase awareness of Counselling Services from Bath Mind and said that she had found out that there was a four month waiting list for these services. She asked if the Council provided any funding for this service.

The Associate Director for Public Health replied that it does receive funding from B&NES and the BSW ICB. He said that Breathing Space does provide an in-person service and/or evening phone support which is open seven evenings per week. He added that Mental Health Commissioners may know further about the waiting lists mentioned.

Councillor Hardman asked how do we ensure that Schools are using resources which supports the delivery of a whole school or setting approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing through the public health in schools and early years programmes. She added that how can it be ensured that the excellent resources of Boys in Mind are also used in BANES schools as these help increase awareness of mental health problems which could lead to suicide.

The Associate Director for Public Health replied that he was aware of quite a lot of work that is done within schools. He added that Public Health also provides support to The HUB which is an online service that helps services and schools work together to ensure effective communication, timely distribution of information and easy purchase of trading services and course bookings.

He said that a guide for schools was available if a suicide has occurred that affects them and that each school should have a Senior Mental Health Lead within their staff.

Councillor Paul May asked if he could comment on the Mental Health services available locally, including from the private sector.

The Associate Director for Public Health replied that they do work alongside AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) who are the lead provider of healthcare for people with serious mental illness, learning disabilities and autism across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire, and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

He added that the Public Health team were not involved with services from the private sector.

Councillor Rob Appleyard commented that he supported this work and that offering people the opportunities to reach out and talk is very welcome. He said that he felt that the support to relatives and friends affected by these incidents was also good.

Councillor Joanna Wright stated that she felt that there were some elements missing from the Strategy and Action Plan. She added that increasingly there are many people that don’t have enough money to live or are living in poor conditions within their home.

She called for the Government to be lobbied in terms of online safety and social media, in particular referring to young people.

Kevin Burnett commented that he was aware of some recent referrals to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) that have not yet received any form of counselling service. He asked when the results of the most recent school health and wellbeing survey would be available.

The Associate Director for Public Health replied that CAMHS works across the BSW area and within localities. He added that they are looking to strengthen the work within B&NES following a recent restructure.

He said that Public Health were currently doing some insight work into Self Harm as the figures relating to this for adolescents had doubled during lockdown. He added that he would check on the status of the school health and wellbeing survey.

Councillor Ruth Malloy said that she hoped that the work mentioned would see a reduction in the rates of self harm among young people and that she welcomed the extra support provided within schools through the Senior Mental Health Lead and hoped that more teachers were able to become involved.

The Chairman said that he was also concerned about the effect that social media can have on people and suggested that the BSW ICB be addressed on this matter.

Councillor Andy Wait agreed and said that the Government should be addressed on this matter at the same time.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the contents of this report.