Friday 10-09-2021 - 11:27

Friday 10 September 2021 marks this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, and as part recognising the importance of suicide awareness, Edge Hill Students’ Union has committed to training its support, engagement, and advice staff and student officer team using Zero Suicide Alliance’s In-Depth Suicide Awareness Training.

 

As a Students’ Union, we want to be an active participant in creating a world where fewer people die by suicide.

 

Our new training initiative, led by Georgia Whalley-Smith, the Faculty of Health, Social Care, and Medicine Engagement Officer for 2021, will ensure that all Students’ Union support, engagement, and advice staff have the foundational knowledge of how to talk about suicide, and what to do in crisis situations.

 

Of the training, and World Suicide Prevention Day in general, Georgia said: “It’s so important that as many of us as possible take action so that we can avoid preventable deaths by suicide.

 

“The Zero Suicide Alliance training is completely free and gives you vital skills which could help to save lives, so if you have a spare 30 minutes, please consider completing the training.”

 

World Suicide Prevention Day is a national awareness campaign held annually on September 10. Each year has a different theme and focus, aiming to bring to light a specific aspect of suicide prevention.

 

This year’s theme is creating hope through action, which aims to empower people with the confidence to engage with the complexity of hope.

 

As a Students’ Union, our action will be to get our staff trained as fast as possible, so students can be confident that their Union is a safe space and a place they can go to.

 

We are also keen to promote some of the vital resources available to students, both nationally and right here at Edge Hill:

 

• Samaritans ­– Samaritans offer free 24/7 support for those struggling with their mental health. You can visit their website, call 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org
   
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK ­– Papyrus offers support to those under the age of 35 experience suicidal thoughts. Support can be accessed 09:00-00:00 every day by calling 0800 068 4141, texting 07860 039967 or emailing pat@papyrus-uk.org
   
• EHU Let Us Know Online form – If someone is concerned about a friend’s mental health, they can share their concerns with the wellbeing team anonymously so that that person can receive support from the Wellbeing Team and Campus Support Team.

 

Edge Hill Students’ Union’s suicide awareness resources and training was instigated and led by Georgia Whalley-Smith, this year’s Faculty of Health, Social Care, and Medicine Officer. If you would like to get in touch with her, email smithwg@edgehill.ac.uk.