Worcestershire County Council

The work we do at Worcestershire County Council matters! We are there for the most vulnerable people in society who need us the most, we are helping to build a successful and growing local economy, we protect our environment, we improve outcomes for our children, young people and families, and we help ensure our residents are healthier, live longer and have a better quality of life. In short, what we do makes a difference to people’s lives!

How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?

Worcestershire and Herefordshire each have Suicide Prevention Partnership groups, strategies and action plans. Suicide Prevention is also a priority in the Mental Health and Wellbeing STP Board, which has a focus on prevention and improving quality and access to mental health and wellbeing services.

A project group will be established and will work with each of the Partnership groups and report progress through the Mental Health H&W STP Board who will drive a systemwide programme of work at strategic level. Herefordshire and Worcestershire covers a large geographical footprint with a mixture of very rural and more urban populations. We would aim to take a local, place based approach that is overseen and governed by a strategic vision and method, directing and prioritising the local activities.

Narrow divider

What are your current priorities?

Establishing a Programme Management and Community Development Team

Development of localised community centered approaches

Awareness raising campaigns and branding

Suicide prevention training

Narrow divider

What challenges are you currently facing?

Stigma persists around talking about emotional health and this has been identified as an important contributor to reducing suicide, particularly amongst men.

Narrow divider