Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Marie Demaine – Senior PH Practioner and Chris Lee – PH Specialist, Suicide Prevention and Awareness, Lancashire County Council, Public Health.

Marie Demaine, Senior PH Practitioner attended the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee and gave a presentation on suicide prevention and awareness. 

Marie Demaine provided the following facts on suicide:

-       There was a greater number of men than women committing suicide although there was an increase in the number of women. 

-       It was not always clear why a person had committed suicide.

-       Data on the number of suicide cases was unpredictable.

-       There was investment to look at how to address suicide prevention with real time surveillance.

-       Focus was on partnership working.

-       High risk locations for suicide had been identified and preventative measures put in place and cluster identification.

-       Top five areas for suicide had been identified with Hyndburn included in the top 5.

-       Drug related deaths and substance misuse were being reviewed.  There was a high level of suicide.

-       There was a focus on intervention and prevention of suicide.

-       The Orange Button scheme to encourage conversation and language.

She reported that training was available for elected Members’ participation and that there would be a white ribbon campaign to create awareness and encourage conversations.  It was their aim to improve mental health and this included looking at how the media reported on incidents of suicide and ways to prevent the sensationalising of deaths. 

Members submitted the following comments and questions:

-       Members could participate by placing posters on local notice boards.

-       Were the booklets mentioned in the presentation available both in leaflet form and online?

-       Was there any national scientific study taking place to identify key issues of suicide?

-       Had the average age of suicide deaths had gone down?

-       Could the employee assistance scheme open up to Members?

Marie Demaine explained that nationally the focus was on the suicidal deaths of middle aged men but they also had heat maps to show areas of concern as well as a number of key known contributory factors to suicide, which she outlined, but acknowledged that more work was needed to provide more information in preventing deaths.   

The Head of Policy and Human Resources, Kirsten Burnett, reported that they had done a lot of work on mental health within the Council and referred to the how they had provided training sessions and courses on stress/anxiety/depression and suicide prevention.  She informed the Committee that there was a confidential helpline for staff to use if necessary as well as free Counselling sessions.  Families would also be able to access this assistance. Other aides included Friendly Faces in the Council, sign posting people to help and an emotional wellbeing handbook to staff.  Wellbeing activities were offered to staff and Mental Health Wellbeing week offered support.  She provided details of a number of additional ways of Hyndburn Council supported its staff.  She encouraged new ideas.

A number of questions were submitted to the Senior Public Health Practitioner in advance of the Committee and responses were provided at the meeting:

-       The level of support provided to people with addiction issues would depend on the level of risk and the type of support required.

-       NHS and local authority provision differed for people waiting for counselling. Marie Demaine indicated that she would forward further information onto the Committee about this matter and the number of people waiting for counselling and being prescribed drugs on GP waiting lists.

-       Pilot schemes were taking place with Mental Health Teams to support local authorities in providing mental health provision to children through schools.

-       It was the intention of the NHS to put provision in place for access to mental health services for pregnant women, before, during and after pregnancy.

-       Information had been sent to the Chief Executive with regards to questions that had been submitted.

-       She reported that the Acute Therapy Service (ATS) had been very successful but would report back with greater details to the Committee.

-       Kirsten Burnett had already provided details of how staff of Hyndburn Council were supported by the Council in relation to their mental health. 

-       The question relating to the increase in demand for mental health services post Covid and its funding was forwarded to the Chief Executive - Hyndburn Leisure, for response as was the question relating to the role for Leisure Services in Suicide Prevention.

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer proposed that a Scrutiny Panel was established to discuss how the Council could develop and improve its mental health awareness, provision and partnerships.  He suggested that this consisted of Councillors (Cllrs June Harrison, Kate Walsh, Jenny Molineux, Dominik Allen and Dave Parkins).

Resolved                           (1)   That the presentation be noted; and

                                (2)   That a Scrutiny Panel be established to consider the Council’s role in suicide prevention and mental health.