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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 ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ - a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide. Our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.

How you can get involved

Suicide Prevention Training - Herefordshire and Worcestershire

As part of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Programme, Worcestershire County Council is pleased to announce funded Suicide Prevention Training for anyone working or living in Herefordshire or Worcestershire supporting over 18s.

The training is a three-hour online session aimed to improve skills and confidence to support someone and guide them to the help they need. After the training, all participants will have the option to sign up to the Orange Button Community Scheme.

Places can be booked through Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association’s Eventbrite page:

• If you live or work in Herefordshire - Free Suicide Prevention Training - Herefordshire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
• If you live or work in Worcestershire - Free Suicide Prevention Training - Worcestershire Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

For any enquiries please contact HWGTA directly on 01432 274310 or email training@hwgta.org

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)

Offers advice, support and assessment for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental health advisors will be able to listen to your concerns and make appropriate plans with you. The service is open to people of all ages, as well as friends, family and carers.

• Phone: 0808 196 9127

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 to1am, last calls 12.20am) 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.
• In Worcestershire text WOO to 85258 free on all major networks (for anyone in crisis anytime).
• In Herefordshire text HERE to 85258 free on all major networks (for anyone in crisis anytime)
• Visit Now Were Talking Together to Prevent Suicide for tools and resources to help yourself or someone else in crisis.