By Jack Woodhams, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, York CVS Good Mental Health Project
What would you do if you were worried that someone you knew wasn’t okay?
Would you know what to say? Would you feel confident asking the question? And would you know where to point them if they needed more support?
These are questions I think about regularly through my role as Suicide Prevention Coordinator with York CVS, as part of the Good Mental Health Project.
Dr. Jack Woodhams
Every year on 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day gives us an opportunity to talk openly about suicide and, importantly, what we can all do to help prevent it.
But suicide prevention shouldn’t be something we only talk about on one day of the year.
Today, I’ll be at City of York Council delivering a suicide prevention workshop to colleagues, helping them build the confidence and skills to recognise when someone may be struggling, start a conversation and know where to signpost them for further support.
For me, seeing the tangible changes these workshops can create makes it all worthwhile. Watching people leave with greater confidence to recognise the signs, start a conversation and support someone who may be struggling is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
Changing the narrative on suicide
This year’s theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” and #ChangeTheConversation feels particularly important.
It is about moving away from silence, stigma and misunderstanding and towards openness, compassion and support.
For me, one simple message captures what we can all do:
See it. Say it. Signpost it.