Mental Health Crisis

One-in-four adults and one-in-ten children experience mental illness during their lifetime, and many more of us know and care for people who do.

Improved mental health and wellbeing is associated with a range of better outcomes for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The adult safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014 applies, amongst others to adults who have a disability or long-term illness, including people with mental health problems.

It is a priority for the SAB to ensure that adults at risk of abuse and neglect are protected, and that practitioners are skilled and trained appropriately to recognise changes in symptoms and behaviours that may indicate a deterioration in their mental health and that a change in care management/planning is required; and are safeguarded in line with the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal.

Self-harm and Suicide

Self harm is when someone deliberately hurts themselves. It can include cutting, burning, hitting or bruising, poisoning, scratching, hair-pulling or overdosing.

Adults who self harm aren’t usually trying to commit suicide or looking for attention (although self harming can result in accidental death). Often, it is a way for the person to deal with overwhelming or distressing feelings and emotions. It’s a way of coping.

Some people use self harm as a way to cope with anxiety, stress and overwhelming emotions. It is often a sign that there is an underlying problem.

Self harm can be really hard to understand but it is a lot more common than some people think.

The best thing to do is for the person to get help to deal with the underlying issues. Getting the right help is often the key to overcoming or managing self harm.

Suicide Facts and Figures

• Each day around 16 people take their life in the UK and Ireland.
• In the UK, men are three times as likely to take their own lives than women.
• In the UK, the highest suicide rate was for men aged 45-49.

(Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2018)

If you are feeling suicidal, there are people you can talk to:

• speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
• call the Samaritans 24-hour support service on 116 123
• go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling
  contact NHS 111
• make an urgent appointment to see your GP

If someone tells you that they are feeling suicidal:

• Stay Calm – It may be uncomfortable listening but try not to let your own emotional response prevent you from hearing what the person is saying and what their body language is telling you. Talking about self-harm and suicide does not increase the risks!
• Listen – Just being listened to can be a brilliant support and bring great relief to people, particularly if they have never spoken to anyone about their self-harming or suicidal thought before. The fact that they have chosen you to talk to means they feel comfortable speaking to you.
• Take Them Seriously – Do not ignore or dismiss the feelings or behaviour of someone nor see it as attention-seeking or being manipulative. Do not be judgemental
• Confidentiality – Do not keep concerns to yourself – helping someone is a wonderful opportunity but it can also be stressful. If you are a professional, share your concerns with your line manager or safeguarding lead they will help you to consider and manage the risk.
• Clarify whether or not there are immediate needs for medical attention or urgent help to keep the person safe and respond accordingly. For urgent medical attention call 999, for non urgent medical help call 111 or the persons own GP.
• Make sure you are available for the person for the following few days / weeks. If you are not available make sure they know where to seek support from.