Helping others cope based on experience

A NEW toolkit designed by children, young people and families across the region who have been bereaved by suicide has been described as a “good example of the South Yorkshire spirit”.

People from South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw have been involved in developing the resource to help support families like their own.

The toolkit offers advice and resources, and signposts to where children, young people and families, and those who work with them, can get further support.

It was commissioned by NHS South Yorkshire, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield councils and health organisations in Bassetlaw, while the children, young people and families involved developed it with young people’s empowerment project Chilypep.

The stated aim in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw is to cut suicide rates in the region by ten per cent, as well as improving support for people living with the aftermath.

NHS South Yorkshire chief medical officer Dr David Crichton said: “Sadly, more people in our region take their own life than they do in other parts of the country.

“The effects of suicide are profound, not only on the family and friends of the person who has died but also on the wider community.

“By joining together as health and care partners across South Yorkshire and also Bassetlaw, we believe we can make a real and lasting difference for our citizens.

“This toolkit is a good example of the South Yorkshire spirit.

“Local people, themselves affected by tragedy, have come together to support the development of a tool to help others who find themselves in the same situation.

“I would like to thank them for taking time to support the development of this resource — their input means that we can be confident that we have developed something that will truly help children, young people and families in South Yorkshire.”

Rotherham’s own Be The One campaign aims to beat the stigma of talking about mental health issues and suicide and also provides resources and advice on seeking help and speaking to someone at risk.

Visit https://www.be-the-one.co.uk for more information.

Anyone suffering in the aftermath of suicide, or who needs to talk to someone, should contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email [email protected] or visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/.