Suicide prevention schemes can help “change the narrative” with rates on the rise

The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (Tuesday 10 September) is “changing the narrative on suicide”.

Change is certainly needed; just last month it was announced that suicide rates in England and Wales have reached their highest level since 1999. Samaritans have now called on the Government to treat suicide as a public health crisis and make a commitment to suicide prevention schemes.

“We all need to be confident enough to say the word 'suicide' and ask directly if we think someone is struggling,” said Sam Southern, a suicide prevention bereavement manager at the Empowerment Charity in Blackpool, and a campaigner with the Lancashire and South Cumbria Orange Button Scheme.

Sam lost her husband to suicide in 2020, and now dedicates her career to saving lives.

She continued: “Despite having worked in the NHS for 17 years, I never truly grasped the prevalence of suicide or the deep ripple effect it has. Suicide doesn’t just affect one person; it 'injures' about 15 people directly, leaving scars that never fully heal, and impacts a wider 135 people in total.

“As a mother to six children between us, I felt compelled to dedicate my future to saving the next person, along with their families and communities. Now, I am a manager of a suicide prevention project and I’m a tutor in suicide first aid. Everyone should be trained in suicide first aid, no matter their walk of life.”

Alongside her work, Sam is an Orange Button holder – the NHS-backed scheme trains people and communities to be able to listen to people who are having thoughts of suicide and signpost them to the relevant services.

Sam added: “Joining the Orange Button scheme was a natural step for me because I realised it could truly save lives.

“People who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or those who are worried about someone else, can now spot someone wearing the distinctive orange badge and feel empowered to reach out for help.

“Suicidal thoughts are common, but with the right support, people can heal and grow. We all need to be confident enough to say the word “suicide” and ask directly if we think someone is struggling.

“Remember, people don’t want to die; they just want to escape unbearable pain at that moment. By offering them the choice to stay safe for now, we can connect them to the appropriate support they need.”

The Orange Button scheme recently reached a milestone of 4,000 members in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Training is delivered by Lancashire Mind, Every Life Matters and other local organisations such as Positive Action in the Community and Re-Align Futures, and gives people the skills to identify when people around them are showing signs of mental health concerns and be able to support a person before they have further thoughts of harm. 

Darren Thornhill is group head of operations at Lancashire-based construction and housing developers The Baxter Group Ltd – a company that has signed the Mindful Employer Charter.

He has been involved with the Orange Button for more than four years – the NHS contacted him on completion of a mental health first aid qualification to involve him in setting up the scheme – and wears his button whether at work or out in public.

He said: “The more Orange Button holders in the community, the more people that can be helped.

“If we can utilise these initiatives, it means we can provide a better offering for those that require help. An awareness of the Orange Button scheme means that every person, no matter their age, gender, religious or cultural belief, has the opportunity to find help on their doorstep.

“Being able to speak to someone, in my experience, is the first and most important step in getting help. Not having someone to speak to means people are bottling up their feelings and emotions and aren’t making that first step on the road to recovery.

“Sometimes, all a person wants is for someone to listen. Listening, whether by a stranger or someone you know, can be the biggest help anyone can give.

“The smallest gesture can be the biggest gift.”

World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on Tuesday 10 September. If you are affected by any issues in the article or wish to speak to someone, phone Samaritans on 116 123.

For more information on the Orange Button scheme and training opportunities, visit LSC Integrated Care Board :: Orange Button Community Scheme