The new campaign, called Be Their One, sees two west London councils - Hounslow and Hillingdon - team up to encourage people to take the newly-updated Zero Suicide Alliance training.
Published: Monday, 9th September 2024
A new campaign by Hounslow and Hillingdon Councils launches today to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day. It aims to raise awareness of the resources people can use to learn how to speak to people who are in crisis and say they plan to kill themselves.
The campaign is called Be Their One and focuses on the fact it only takes one person to save a life.
By taking the Zero Suicide Alliance training and familiarising themselves with crisis mental health services local to them, people can give themselves the best chance of saving someone’s life if they find themselves in a situation where someone tells them they intend to seriously harm or kill themselves.
In Hounslow there were 14 cases where people were suspected to have died by suicide between 31 August 2023 and 1 September 2024. Of those cases, it was later revealed that five of those who died had told at least one person of their intention to kill themselves before they passed away.
This prompted Hounslow Council and its partners to take action and raise awareness of the ways residents can prepare to have these conversations – chiefly by taking the Zero Suicide Alliance training. The newly-updated training also launched today on 10 September.
It only takes around half an hour to complete, is recommended for anyone 16 and above, and includes scenarios and advice on how anyone can have a life-saving conversation.
Catherine, who lost her brother to suicide recently, said:
“My brother John had a lovely smile and big blue eyes, made everyone happy and we would always have a laugh together. He had such a presence about him and was a real character; full of love. I miss him so much.
“As the cliché goes, ‘he was the last person in the world that you would think of to die from suicide’ We never suspected a thing and it came as a huge shock when we learnt that he lost his life through suicide.
“It’s vital that people take training to understand how to talk to people who are suicidal. Just like we are trained in using defibrillators and how to save people’s lives when they are having a heart attack, it is equally as important to be able to deal with suicidal ideation.
“The Zero Suicide Alliance training gives people the tools to know what to do if and when a situation arises. The scenarios in the training show how to discuss concerns with a colleague at work or a family member. Knowing what to do in different situations really helps.
“Being able to talk openly about how people are feeling is an important starting point and the Zero Suicide Alliance training provides that.”
Councillor Lily Bath, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Transformation, said:
“Every suicide is a tragedy, so we are determined to take any action that can help save people who feel suicidal. It’s great to be working with our neighbours in Hillingdon to help people across both boroughs to feel supported.
“I’d encourage everyone to take a little time out of their day to take the Zero Suicide Alliance training and generally familiarise themselves with the crisis lines available, both locally and nationally.”
Cllr Jane Palmer, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said:
“By taking the Zero Suicide Alliance’s free training you can make a real difference by learning how to support those in distress, and the vital tools to help someone who’s expressed suicidal intentions. Your support could help save a life. This campaign is a great example of working in partnership to ensure our residents can access services that meet their health, care and support needs.”
