Help is at hand in Bridgend County Borough
Following the recent tragic deaths of a number of people in Bridgend County Borough, the Bridgend Local Service Board is reminding local residents that help is close at hand for anyone suffering from stress, depression or anxiety.
There are a number of services already in existence that are tailored towards helping people in different ways.
Our message is simple: whatever the problem is, don’t keep it to yourself. Sharing your concerns will help to put things in a different light, and is the first step towards finding a solution.
Suicide and unexpected death is a difficult issue which affects all communities in the UK. This is a complex problem that needs to be managed through a co-ordinated approach.
A Suicide Prevention Strategy has been developed by a multi-agency group which includes Adult Social Services, Children’s Services, Education, South Wales Police, Health and the voluntary sector.
Almost £1 million has been made available for a project aimed at supporting people who are at risk from suicide in the Bridgend County Borough and Neath Port Talbot areas.
Called Let’s Talk - Siaradwn Ni, the scheme will establish a network of specially-trained people who will be able to promote suicide prevention techniques both in the local community and across voluntary and statutory sector services.
The project will be operated by the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust and will be overseen by co-ordinators skilled in applied suicide intervention and risk management training.
They will help staff and communities spot mental health issues and allow earlier intervention so individuals can be encouraged to seek appropriate support.
There will be a stronger structure for referrals, support and interagency working. Support groups will also be developed for family and friends who have been affected by suicide.
Funding for the initiative has been provided by the Big Lottery Fund’s Mental Health Matters programme.
Strong links with the Youth Offending Team, After Care team and HMP and YOI Parc are in place, and further suicide reduction training is taking place.
An awareness-raising campaign will help people recognise signs of mental distress to allow earlier intervention. As only 25% of all people who take their own life have any contact with mental health services, the wider community also has a role to play in helping to recognise these concerns.
We are adopting a common sense approach to de-stigmatise mental distress and create better awareness of the surrounding issues.
A counselling service helps young people aged between 11-25 in schools and the local community. It is a free service and there are no limits on the number of sessions a person can receive.
The counsellors offer friendly, confidential support and guidance and there are also initiatives running like the Peer Mentoring Programme, where younger children can talk to older pupils as they would a ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’, and the Playground Peacemakers anti-bullying scheme.
Counsellors are good listeners and are there to support people, not judge them. They help young people identify long and short term goals and develop coping strategies and support networks, promoting the view that in life, things will always change. They also develop a person’s own potential for change and development.
The LEAs educational psychology service has prioritised its support work for schools, briefing teaching staff and governing bodies. Packs and materials have been developed for each comprehensive and information on dealing with bereavement has also been provided.
There are 18 youth/drop-in centres spread throughout the county borough and a community youth shop has been set up in Bridgend town centre. All are run by qualified youth workers who provide advice and guidance about issues such as youth rights and entitlements, suicide prevention, drug awareness and sexual health. They also deal with issues that are specific to each community.
In addition, the council’s Youth Service in partnership with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust provides a mobile information bus staffed with youth workers, a nurse and a youth counsellor which visits all local communities. Detached youth workers also patrol local streets to reach young people who may not visit youth centres, and there are specific projects that are aimed at helping young parents or encouraging young people to take up active lifestyles.
The Youth Service has launched workshops at local comprehensive schools to make young people more aware about the services available to them and where they can get advice about their entitlements.
Over the summer, young people aged between 11-25 can also make use of a counselling service offered throughout the county borough by the council’s Youth Service team.
Elsewhere in the community, there are special teams who focus on helping young offenders, prisoners who are nearing the end of their sentences and are about to rejoin society and people who are leaving hospital after long periods of care.
Doctors and GPs can be spoken to in confidence and can tell you about the various health and community services that are available.
There are also a number of special telephone helplines available for groups such as The Samaritans or Child Line, and advice for parents, teachers and pupils has been distributed with details about how to tell if someone is suffering from mental distress and what can be done to help them.
Only 25% of people who take their own lives have prior contact with mental health services, so it is important that people realise such help is available.
The Bridgend Local Service Board brings together local organisations and integrates services throughout Bridgend County Borough. It comprises the following organisations: Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations, Environment Agency Wales, South Wales Police, Bridgend Local Health Board, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, Bridgend County Borough Council and the education partnership, which supports local partnerships.
Our thoughts remain with those who have been affected by the recent deaths.
Useful telephone numbers:
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Child Line 08001111. |
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Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 |
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Papyrus (specialists in the prevention of young suicide) 01282 432555. |
