'Reach Out; Start to End Suicide’, a multi award winning campaign, is dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Our campaign is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. We are aiming for a community that makes it’s the norm and acceptable, in a variety of contexts, to feel free to discuss feelings and for people to be told that they matter. Through raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping people with the confidence to have conversations to support those at risk of suicide, we know we can save lives being lost and contribute to the Salfords’ ‘Zero Suicides’ ambition.
‘Reach Out; Start to End Suicide’ maximised its impact through its innovative delivery of:
• ‘Sea of Hands of Support’, which has amassed nearly 2,500 pledges of support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts and ideation and 4,000+ conversations occurred that smash the stigma associated with suicide.
• ‘Builders Lunch’ with workers in the construction industry being characterised as the hardest to reach and at highest risk profession to suicide, we served pizza and chatted about their mental health and suicide. We engaged with 271 construction workers with 97% of construction workers engaged reported an increase of their awareness of suicide prevention.
• Our ‘WSPD Vigil & Processions of Remembrance’ ims to remember all the lives that have been lost to suicide and support those left behind. This event takes place each year on World Suicide Prevention Day i.e September 10th.
• ‘Turn Yellow for Suicide Prevention Month’ saw the distribution of and display of our ‘Turn Yellow Packs’ including posters, card tents, desk flags and flags across the country in 2019. We saw 1,239 of our suicide prevention resources being displayed across 277 locations. Our logo emblazoned flags were flown at Salford City Council, Trafford Council & Wigan Council town halls on World Suicide Prevention Day. Salford Civic Centre was floodlit yellow to mark the day.
• ‘Care Workers Tea’ saw 850 logo emblazoned cakes with thank you cards that carried suicide prevention messages and a thank you delivered to our front line Health & Social Care workers and Nurses at Salford Royal Hospital at the height of the pandemic.