World Suicide Prevention Day is marked by health and social organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire - The Leamington Observer

World Suicide Prevention Day is marked by health and social organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire

Leamington Editorial 10th Sep, 2020 Updated: 10th Sep, 2020   0

WORLD Suicide Prevention Day is being marked today, by health and social organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire.

They will join global organisations and communities in coming together to raise awareness and look to creating a world where fewer people die by suicide.

The international awareness day falls during the week of the county’s virtual Wellbeing for Life Festival, across whose platforms, videos from suicide prevention charities will be shared. These include ‘It Takes Balls to Talk’ and videos from Cameron Grant Memorial Trust, as well as an introduction from the lead clinician for risk and suicide prevention at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT).

There is also a community event to mark the day in All Saints Square in Bedworth town centre. Representatives from CWPT, Rise, Mind, Change Grow Live and others, will raise awareness of local services and support. Held between 1pm – 4pm, this aims to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide and create a culture of kindness in the region. Anyone planning to attend is reminded to undertake social distancing.




As the pandemic struck fear and anxiety across the world, authorities and health services in Coventry and Warwickshire developed a new suicide prevention website – www.dearlife.org.uk. The site provides support and signposting to vital services for residents who are desperately seeking help for themselves or someone they know.

CWPT officer for clinical risk and suicide, Anne Prendergast said: “World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for local communities, including the NHS and local authorities, to come together to raise awareness of suicide, the support that is out there, and to encourage people to talk about their feelings.


“If you or someone close to you has had thoughts of suicide, hopefully these events, and the new suicide prevention site, will give you plenty of information of where you can access the support and help you might need.”

Warwickshire County Council’s wellbeing spokesman Les Caborn added: “Every death by suicide is a tragedy and impacts families, friends and the wider community. Our support for World Suicide Prevention Day is a part of the council’s ongoing commitment to working with our partners to reducing the numbers of people who die by suicide in our communities and providing better support for those bereaved by suicide.

“The Dear Life website is a really positive development to our suicide prevention work. It provides residents with advice on a topic that many find difficult to approach. I urge everyone to visit the site, learn more about the subject and share it widely among their community.”

Visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/virtual-wellbeing-festival to access the festival online.

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