Mental Health Solicitors

South Gloucestershire Council is introducing a suicide prevention training programme, which aims to help reduce the number of suicides in South Gloucestershire.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Public Health team is running two free training courses during 2016 for those wishing to develop their confidence, skills and knowledge to support people who are considering taking their own life.

The council says it particularly wants to equip as many frontline workers from the public and voluntary sector with the skills and confidence they need to help people in crisis.

The council’s trainers will be using the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) course, which is widely considered to be the world’s leading suicide prevention training programme.

The course takes place over two days, with the first held on 23 and 24 June at Kingswood Civic Centre – followed by another on 15 and 16 November.

Both courses are already filling up, says the council – but anyone wishing to take part can still express an interest in attending.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Adults, Housing and Public Health lead member, Councillor Ben Stokes, said:

“While suicide rates in South Gloucestershire are relatively low, South Gloucestershire Council is committed to reducing the number of suicides we have each year.

“This training will give a wide range of people who work across South Gloucestershire the skills to take the simple steps needed to support people who are in crisis – and is part of a broader suicide prevention approach in the area.”

South Gloucestershire Council’s Director of Public Health, Professor Mark Pietroni, added:

“Many people do not feel they are qualified to support someone who is talking about suicide – but all the research says there are some simple steps any of us can take to make a positive difference.

“The ASIST training will enable us to give more frontline professionals the confidence and knowledge to intervene and support someone in emotional distress.”

South Gloucestershire is one of seven local authorities to benefit from a £85,000 funding allocation from Health Education England to support the development of suicide prevention training.

In total, 15 local trainers will deliver 42 of the two-day ASIST courses during 2016 and 2017 – with a predicted 840 people receiving the training.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0333 772 0409.