Appendix 2

Suicide Safer Communities: Brighton & Hove

The ‘Suicide Safer Communities’ designation has been developed by LivingWorks Education; the international social enterprise who developed the ASIST and SafeTALK suicide intervention training packages. The designation honours communities who have implemented concerted, strategic approaches to suicide prevention. The nine pillars in this designation reflect the core elements of suicide prevention strategies around the world. The designation celebrates and acknowledges those communities who have made significant progress in reaching their suicide-safer goals, and helps others understand what strategic steps they can take to prevent suicide on a community level.

LivingWorks says:“Suicide-Safer Communities are passionate in their belief that suicide is preventable and that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility where every person from policy makers to individual community members has the potential to make a difference and save a life.  In acquiring an official “Suicide-Safer Community” designation, communities will be recognised for their efforts as leaders in formulating and implementing suicide prevention initiatives on a sustainable and ongoing basis over time.” 

Brighton & Hove has a higher than average suicide rate and has done for many years. In response to this issue Grassroots has been working with the Brighton & Hove Suicide Prevention Strategy Group’s partners across the city for several years to prevent suicide, and we are hopeful that the city will be recognised for its efforts next year by being awarded the Suicide Safer Community designation. 

Grassroots Suicide Prevention formally declared our intention to work towards this designation on World Suicide Prevention Day 2012, with the support of the Brighton & Hove Suicide Prevention Strategy Group. We are currently collating contributions to the city’s application from partners across the city including Public Health, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the third sector. We will submit the application Spring 2016. Brighton & Hove’s application for designation will be assessed by a review committee of national and international experts, including LivingWorks Education.

Pillars for Building a Suicide-Safer Community

The nine (9) pillars provide a structure for reviewing actions and accomplishments in achieving a suicide-safer community designation:

1. Leadership/Steering Committee
2. Background Summary
3. Suicide Prevention Awareness
4. Mental Health and Wellness Promotion
5. Training
6. Suicide Intervention & Ongoing Clinical/Support Services
7. Suicide Bereavement
8. Evaluation Measures
9. Capacity Building/Sustainability

Further Information:

www.prevent-suicide.org.uk

www.livingworks.net