Council’s support for World Suicide Prevention Day

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday 10 September, Horsham District Council has organised a series of ‘community briefings’ which will be delivered by its teams of Neighbourhood Wardens across the Horsham District.

The briefings will target middle aged men as they have been identified as a high risk group. Since around 1990, men have been at least three times as likely to take their own life as women.

Research by the Samaritans suggests that this is due to a variety of reasons including increased family breakdown leaving more men living alone, the decline of male-dominated industries and social expectations about masculinity.

“Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a suicide, communities have an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable. World Suicide Prevention Day is an invaluable opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health.

Improving the mental health of people in our District is a priority for us as a Council and I am pleased that our Neighbourhood Wardens out in our local communities have organised these events.

“I would encourage as many of you as possible, if you are feeling vulnerable, or know of someone who is feeling vulnerable, to attend the briefings and access all the help there is on offer.”

Cabinet Member for Community and Wellbeing Cllr Tricia Youtan

The aim of the briefings is to get people talking about how they are feeling and to know where to go for support and advice if they need it.

In 2016 (the last reported year), 15 people killed themselves by suicide in the Horsham District.

The community briefings will take place on Monday 10 September in:

• Billingshurst High Street (a street briefing) from 13.00 – 16.00,
• Horsham Carfax (a street briefing) from 12.00 – 14.00,
• Pulborough Library from 10.00 – 12.00,
• Steyning Community Centre from 13.00 to 16.00.

Anyone unable to attend a community briefing can find further information and support at on the NHS website.

The District Council’s Community Safety Strategy has Suicide Prevention as one of its priorities.