Issue - meetings

The Board considered the report of the Interim Director of Public Health seeking approval of the Southampton City Suicide Prevention Plan 2020-2023.

Amy McCullough, Consultant in Public Health, was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Board noted that:

·  The aim of the plan was to reduce the number of suicides in Southampton and to ensure provision of support to those bereaved by suicide, focussing on, but not limited to, groups at high risk of taking their own life;

·  A multi partnership approach was required to attain the maximum success with suicide prevention with regular updates within groups to encourage coordination;

·  Although the suicide rate in Southampton had decreased over recent years, the city was still above the national average figure;

·  Schools should be suicide alert and that there was a short online video training available to download;

·  Front line care workers needed to be trained regarding discussions on suicide;

·  There was a need to promote the resources that were available to help with suicide prevention; and

·  It would be useful to hold a virtual All Members Briefing to show resources available on suicide prevention and to discuss ways of sign posting people to the correct form of help.

RESOLVED

(i)  That the Southampton Suicide Prevention Plan 2020-2023 be approved; and

(ii)  That an update report on delivery against the Plan be received by the Board once a year, with exception reports as appropriate.