Adult Social Care outlines support for Sefton residents at risk of suicide
This World Suicide Prevention Day Sefton Council’s Public Health team is reminding people about its We’re Here campaign.
Sefton in Mind
We’re Here points anyone who thinks they may need support with their mental health to www.seftoninmind.org.uk where they can find more information and advice.
Categories covered at www.seftoninmind.org.uk include Crisis Support, Support for Men, Support for Women, Specialist Services such as Bereavement Carers and Dementia, and Someone to Speak to.
We’re Here campaign
Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The We’re Here campaign is aimed at everyone in Sefton who wants some support with their mental health and wellbeing, including anyone who is having suicidal thoughts.
“By following the QR code they can find a broad range of local help and support for a wide variety of issues as well as how to contact more immediate support if experiencing crisis.”
Personalised support plans
Sefton Council’s Adult Social Care carries out a number of activities that can help identify, reduce and respond to suicide risk. This includes identifying people at risk through assessments and developing personalised support plans to help address circumstances that may contribute to suicidal thoughts.
The service uses a strengths-based approach that connects people to community resources, voluntary organisations, support groups and local services to release isolation and increasing social connections. And, under the Care Act, if an adult is experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect or other situations that place them at significant risk, safeguarding processes can be initiated to help protect them.
Sefton’s Adult Social Care service works closely with NHS services, hospitals, mental health professionals and voluntary sector organisations. If a social worker identifies concerns about a person's mental health or risk of self-harm, they can facilitate referrals, share information appropriately and coordinate multi-agency support.
Specialist teams
Sefton Council's Adult Social Care includes specialist Community Mental Health teams, which support adults experiencing mental health difficulties. Working alongside NHS colleagues and other health professionals, the teams assesses people's needs, co-ordinate appropriate support and connect them with services that promote wellbeing, independence and safety.
These teams and all social work teams will help ensure vulnerable individuals receive appropriate support.
And on a wider basis, Sefton’s Adult Social Care works closely with organisations involved in initiatives such as Sefton In Mind and the Sefton Suicide Strategy Group.
Strongly focused on protection
Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Deputy Leader, said: “All of our activities are strongly focused on each individual’s protection and wellbeing and that includes looking at their mental health and helping to prevent them reaching crisis.
“By doing that we can try to identify anyone who needs support and provide them with the help they need, when they need it.”
