Information for professionals

If someone is upset, stressed or struggling with wellbeing, follow the SHUSH listening tips created by the Samaritans:
 

• Show you care: Focus on the other person, make eye contact and put away your phone.
• Have patience: It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to be open.
• Use open questions that need more than a yes or no answer and follow up with ‘tell me more’.
• Say it back to check you have understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution.
• Have courage: Don’t be put off by a negative response, and most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence.

Not sure how to ask about suicide?  Here are some conversation starters

Looking for more information about how to start, manage and close conversations about mental health? Mind, a mental health charity, have a comprehensive guide available to download. 

• Visit our Downloadable Resources page for posters on the main routes to signpost children, young people and adults to support around their mental health in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 
• Now We’re Talking gives tailored signposting advice around a variety of mental health issues.
• Visit our Acting Together to Prevent Suicide campaign page for online resources including a step by step guide to helping someone in crisis.
• Talk Community from Herefordshire Council has a list of additional local services available for Herefordshire around mental health and suicide prevention.
• Worcestershire County Council has a list of additional local services available around mental health and suicide for Worcestershire.
• If the person is under 18 years old signpost them to the CAMHS children and young people's website
• JIGSAW is a peer led support group for relatives and carers supporting a family member with mental illness. 

If someone is struggling with their wellbeing, there are often small things you can do in addition to signposting to help someone.  Consider if there is any action you can take within your role to relieve their stress – sometimes this might simply be the way you approach a conversation.

• Zero Suicide Alliance - Through this 20 minute suicide awareness training you will gain skills and confidence to help someone who may be considering suicide.

• Real Talk Interactive Film - Real Talk About Suicide is a 30 minute interactive film which helps guide the viewer, as they make choices to support someone with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. 

• We Need to Talk about Suicide – This is 60-90 minute training developed by Health Education England.  The purpose of this programme is to support the ambition of reducing the stigma associated with suicide, to help everyone see that simply asking someone how they are and talking about suicide can really help. 

• Depression is not a normal part of ageing – This 20-minute session explains what depression is and what the differences with normal ageing are. Differences in older people’s depression are covered, along with physical, social and psychological common treatments.

• MindEd is a free online educational resource covering mental health for children, young people, adults and older people. This training is free and completely open access with over 500 sessions available online.  View all MindEd modules

• Health, care and social care workers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire can get confidential mental health and wellbeing support through The Hub: https://www.hwstaffhub.nhs.uk/
• Visit Now We’re Talking for tools to help your own mental wellbeing or get further support.
• The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Recovery College aims to give people the tools, skills and understanding that they need to drive forward their own wellbeing and recovery journey whilst breaking down the stigmas relating to mental health
• Had a difficult conversation around suicide? Did you know you can call Samaritans or PAPYRUS as a professional to debrief?
  Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours) 
  HOPELINE UK: 0800 068 41 41 (9am to midnight)
• Practitioner Health: This is a free, confidential mental health and addiction service with expertise in supporting healthcare professionals in NHS primary care settings. 
• HR leads or managers can find out more about strengthening suicide prevention for their staff through Herefordshire & Worcestershire’s suicide prevention hub for workplaces.
• Please make sure to raise any concerns or worries about your own, or someone else's mental health with your line manager if you feel able to do so.