Suicide Prevention

The Saving Lives programme offers a three-stage process - SURVIVE, PREVENT, SUSTAIN - which is delivered by suicide prevention specialist counsellors and volunteers.

Survive

Clients are initially assessed to identify their risk of suicide. Once an assessment has been completed the team creates a bespoke treatment package for each individual.

Treatment packages can include:

• Guidance on therapeutic tools and techniques needed to manage suicide ideation.
• One to one counselling.
• Access to weekly support groups & peer support.
• Workshops dealing with mental health issues and emotional wellbeing.
• Talks by healthcare professionals.
• Phone call check-ins from a member of the team.
• Links to other local crisis services.

Prevent

Clients who have coped with immediate crisis then move on to longer term support, designed to prevent a relapse back into suicide ideation.

Activities can include:

Continued one-to-one counselling (regularity subject to an individual’s progress).

• Weekly relapse prevention group.
• Ongoing peer support.
• Optional phone call check-ins and online support.
• Links with other services depending on a client’s needs. This may include access to employment training, housing services, faith and social groups, volunteering opportunities, and improved welfare benefits.
• Crisis intervention services available as and when needed.

Sustain

At this stage clients are no longer in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, however ongoing support is still available to ensure a sustained lower risk of suicide.

Ongoing low-level support includes:

• One-to-one counselling (if necessary).
• Support from volunteers and counsellors on a wider range of issues such as finding employment and gaining training.
• Continued access to support groups
• Crisis intervention services available as and when needed.