Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City
Suicide Prevention in Glasgow City
“Many hands make life work”
Pauline Toner, Glasgow City Choose Life Coordinator
February, 2013
Glasgow City Council
Background
Scottish Government (Autumn 2010,) launch a refreshed national
strategy for suicide prevention
Six key priorities for multi agency action as follows:
1. Identify and intervene to reduce suicidal behaviour in high risk groups
2. Develop and implement a coordinated approach to reduce suicidal
behaviour
3. Ensure interventions to reduce suicidal behaviour are informed by
evidence from research and evaluated appropriately
4. Provide support to those affected by suicidal behaviour
5. Provide education and training about suicidal behaviour and promote
awareness about the help available
6. Reduce availability and lethality of methods used in suicidal behaviour
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City Choose Life Group was re-established in September
2011, to respond to the refreshed national strategy and objectives
Members include:
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Social Work Mental Health Services
Addiction Services
Social Work Children and Families
Social Care Providers Forum (SCIF)
GGCNHS
Education Services
Glasgow City Council Chief Exec’s
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service
Strathclyde Police
Homelessness Services
Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership
Glasgow City Financial Inclusion Services
Glasgow City Council
Awareness Programme
• NE Suicide Prevention Forum, Lifelink, Breathing Space, SAMH,
COPE, Samaritans and PETAL input to strategy group
• Meeting between Prof Steve Platt and SWS leadership team about
research findings to inform suicide prevention work in Glasgow
Multi-agency Training Sub Group
• Agreed priorities are: children & families residential staff and
homelessness case workers & residential staff
• SafeTALK training is now underway targeted at children and families
residential staff, with ASIST starting spring, 2013
• Trainers’ Development and Support Network established, first meeting
held in Oct 2012
Glasgow City Council
Communication/Publicity
• Web page on GCC internet now launched
• Distribution of Choose Life publicity materials
• World Suicide Prevention Day multi-agency “meet up” held, Sep, 2012
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City Council
Action Plan Highlights:
• Social Work Services – Suicide prevention training underway for
residential care staff (LAAC)
• Education - All 47 Educational Psychologists ASIST trained,
SafeTALK offered to all schools
• Homelessness - Training for homelessness case workers
• GGCNHS - Multi-agency group established April, Community
Prevention Sub Group, established Jan, 2013, SH and young people
• Addictions – SSA incorporates enquiries about suicidal ideation and
self harm
• Social Care Ideas Factory – Organised successful multi-agency
“Meet up” event, scoping training needs of social care providers
Glasgow City Council
Action Plan Highlights (cont):
• Strathclyde Police - Suicide Prevention Monitoring Group, December
good practice guidance
• Strathclyde Fire and Rescue - ASIST and SafeTALK training for staff
• GVAWP- Promote ASIST training across partner agencies, focus on
suicide prevention for asylum and refugee groups
• Chief Exec's - Joint working with GGCNHS, Public Health to promote
good mental health (With Inclusion in Mind)
• Financial Advice - Linking local suicide prevention work to financial
advice services
• Scottish Government consultation on new Choose Life and Self Harm
Strategy
Glasgow City Council
Issues
• Impact of recession
• Welfare benefit reforms
• Local feedback – recent increase in numbers of
people feeling suicidal?
• How to improve joint working at the front line?
• Performance/ outcomes framework
• Community Awareness & Community Prevention
• National strategy engagement
Glasgow City Council
Thank you
Questions?