James Donaldson on Mental Health - To reduce suicide rates, we need to reach people

Dr Jeya Balakrishna of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Dr Chris Allen of Maidenhead Men in Sheds on the news that suicide rates in England and Wales are at a 25-year high.

The stark rise in the number of lives lost to suicide is extremely concerning and action is needed to address this (Suicide rates in England and Wales reach highest level since 1999, 29 August).

There has been a global decline in mental health in recent decades, as highlighted by the Lancet Psychiatry commission on youth mental health. Many people are affected by societal challenges in areas such as the economy, environment, social isolation and social media. Worryingly, a significant number of people who die by suicide have never been in contact with mental health services. More must be done to encourage people to come forward and to make sure they receive the best possible care.

All health staff should be alert to the level of risk in their patients and coordinate the appropriate care. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) continues to work with NHS England and NHS Wales to improve national guidance in safety assessments. National suicide prevention strategies should also be adequately resourced if they are to make a lasting difference. We need to act together to address societal changes, provide timely and compassionate care, and save lives.

#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

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Dr Jeya Balakrishna
Chair, patient safety group, RCPsych

 Why are we surprised that suicide levels are at their highest since 1999, when the societal message is increasingly that you are worthless if you do not have a job and are not contributing financially to society? Men aged 45 to 64 have the highest suicide rate (22.4 per 100,000). This is the time when men are starting to retire, being made redundant, becoming ill or incapacitated – challenging their sense of self-worth and identity if it is encapsulated by being economically viable and having a job.

We need a strategy for men that places equal value on helping others, voluntary work, continued learning, caring for grandchildren and the benefits of experience if we are going to avoid a Logan’s Run world, where men feel everyone would be better off without them once they age.

https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-to-reduce-suicide-rates-we-need-to-reach-people/