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To contribute towards a sustained and significant reduction in the number of islanders attempting and dying by suicide.
Jersey, like anywhere else, is impacted by suicide but within our small community, the resulting impact is disproportionately high. It is estimated that around 135 people are caught in the aftermath of a sudden death and the resulting economic and mental health costs are high. Without effective bereavement support, there is an increased risk of further loss.
Our annual age-adjusted suicide rate is between 10 and 15 per year. Although it isn’t appropriate to directly compare with other countries, it cannot be denied that this number is too high.
With the longer-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic only now becoming apparent, there has never been a greater need to bring this subject into the open and plan for reducing the number of sudden deaths we see every year. Whilst the local rate of suicides has been somewhat contained during the pandemic years, the concern lies with the next three to five years, especially now that the island is facing unprecedented social threats such as the rising cost of living, the housing crisis and ongoing pressures on professional services.
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Relying on an overstretched mental health service will not work – service improvements take many years to implement, and we simply don’t have the time to wait. The first line of defence in any effective prevention strategy lies with family, friends and work colleagues – those who know someone well and can, if they are suicide aware, can spot the changes to someone’s personality or behaviour which could suggest that they are starting to struggle – the sooner someone is helped, the better their chances of recovery.
Jersey has historically lacked a collaborative approach to suicide – the most effective solutions happen when services and the wider community join forces and work together with a joined-up strategy. The JSPA is exactly that – a partnership between Thrive Jersey and Mental Health Services, acting as an umbrella organisation under which any other organisation and individual can associate, share experiences and benefit from a centre of excellence in all suicide-related matters.
The JSPA champions collaboration, both locally and overseas. We are a member of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance, the Zero Suicide Alliance and Suicide Bereavement UK, ensuring that we keep abreast of best practice in awareness, prevention and bereavement support.
Our seven aims are:
The JSPA has seven aims which are set out in its declaration and summarised here:
1. Reducing stigma
For all parts of society, talking about mental health, and taking action to maintain good mental health, is as normal as talking about and maintaining physical health.
2. Help Seeking
More people experiencing emotional distress seek help before they become suicidal.
3. Providing the right help
When people in emotional distress seek help, they receive appropriate support from the people or organisations they approach and they are offered appropriate options.
4. Reducing access to means
People experiencing severe emotional distress find it harder to access the means to take their own life.
5. Suicide Bereavement
People bereaved by suicide get the support they need to cope with the impact on their life.
6. Data and evidence
There is better official data about suicide in Jersey and more evidence about effective suicide prevention. Those working in suicide prevention find it easier to obtain this data and evidence.
7. Working together
Organisations with an interest in suicide prevention are collaborating with each other to make a bigger difference.
The Alliance needs volunteers to help deliver the above aims. In particular we need to train volunteers to liaise with families of a struggling loved one, or those recently bereaved by suicide.
We do not offer psychiatric advice but more often than not, it is practical and emotional support that is most needed. Training will be provided to all relevant volunteers. Additionally we are looking for administrative support to provide liaison with our member partners.
For further information, please email Andy Le Seelleur at andy@jspa.je or call Andy on 07797 758338.
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