Strategy to deal with stigma in Lambeth surrounding mental health
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
One borough with above-average rates of mental illness and addiction is launching a suicide prevention strategy in a bid to stop the deaths which can result.
Lambeth has 17 suicides a year – with men three times more likely to kill themselves than women.
Lambeth council have pledged that even one suicide is one too many – so its focus is on the risks of poor mental health.
The strategy, created by Lambeth Public Health, was launched last month as part of London’s first Great Mental Health Day.
The day was marked with a walk across the borough from The Health Foundry in Waterloo down to West Norwood Cemetery, visiting places and organisations that support positive well-being, and connect residents to others and their communities.
The strategy was launched in Ruskin Park next to the Maudsley Hospital.
Councillor Jim Dickson, Lambeth cabinet member for health, said: “We’ve launched Lambeth’s new three-year Suicide Prevention Strategy on the same day as London’s first Great Mental Health Day to help people see suicide as part of the bigger picture.
“Both these initiatives set out to tackle the stigma around talking about suicide and mental health, and about asking for the help and support we need.
“The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on mental health, and our strategy shares the message that help and support are always available – from everyday things to boost our well-being to specialist health services.”
The priorities for 2022-2023 include:
- extra support for residents bereaved by suicide
- Raising awareness of crisis and bereavement support
- Deliver the Pride in Practice programme to voluntary sector organisations
- Suicide prevention training for Lambeth staff and key community groups
- Projects to support men’s wellbeing
- Improve timely reporting of suicide, attempted suicide and self-harm
- Promote talking about mental health and destigmatise asking for help
- data collecting on self-harm.
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
—-Strategy to deal with stigma in Lambeth surrounding mental health
Failing to strategize how to address those taught and teaching that prejudice suggests a need to change strategies.
Harold A Maio, retired mental health editor