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World Suicide Prevention Suicide Day takes place each year on 10th September. On this day, we seek to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

The theme of this years’ campaign is ‘Change the Narrative – Start the Conversation’ - a reminder that learning more about suicide and how to have a conversation around it saves lives. Our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.

How you can get involved

Free training

Free suicide awareness training and resources are available from national organisations. Please visit the Worcestershire County Council website for more information.

Orange Button Scheme

If you’re an adult and you’ve undertaken a certain level of mental health and suicide prevention training, you can now wear an ‘Orange Button’ to make your training and skills more visible to others.

Orange Button wearers have the confidence to talk about suicide. 

Wearing an Orange Button is a way of showing others in your community who are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about somebody else, that you:

• are comfortable to say / hear the word suicide
• can listen without judgement
• can inform people where to find help and support

Orange Button wearers do not provide:

• counselling or therapy
• long term support
• a replacement or alternative to local NHS services

Visit the Worcestershire County Council website to find out more about the Orange Button Scheme.

Mind

Mind have developed a free online course, called Conversations in the Community. You’ll build confidence in how to have conversations about mental health and wellbeing, to be there for others in your community.  

• It's free for anyone to do
• It's online - you can do it from anywhere
• It takes about 90 minutes in total, but you can leave to take breaks and it will save your progress
• It contains video examples of people talking, and practice scenarios for you to try
• It's self-guided - no one will assess you
• Mind have co-produced the course with people who have experience of mental health problems

Sign up to Conversations in the Community on the Mind website.

Local support and who to contact in crisis

Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24/7 NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline (all ages)

If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.

• Phone: NHS 111 and select the mental health option

Herefordshire Mind’s Safe Haven (5pm to 10pm, last admission 9pm) A welcoming evening space that provides empathy, support, and safety to anyone 18+ experiencing high emotional distress and/or suicidal thoughts.  

• Location: Heffernan House, 130-132 Widemarsh Street, HR4 9HN
• Phone: 01432 372407

Worcestershire Safe Haven (South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind) (6pm and 1am, last calls taken at 12.30am) A listening ear, support, and signposting for anyone 18+ experiencing a mental health crisis.  Same night face to face appointments in Redditch Town Centre available to callers who meet the criteria.

• Phone: 01905 600 400

Other support and listening services 

• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
• Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line.
• If you're under 19, you can call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
• Are you a young person in crisis? Visit the Young Minds website for more support.