Samaritans to highlight their terrific work

Joined up: Samaritans volunteers are involved in partnerships with other suicide prevention organisations

Samaritans from Rochdale, Oldham and District will be highlighting the way they work with local organisations to save lives to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday (September 10).

The theme of this year’s event is working together in partnership to prevent suicide.

Samaritans volunteers provide services at the heart of their communities and this includes partnership working with the NHS, the police, schools and other public, private and voluntary sector organisations in order to make suicide prevention more effective.

From joining up with Network Rail, train operators and British Transport Police to prevent suicides on the railways, to specific local partnerships such as volunteers attending hospital A&Es when people are treated for attempted suicide or self-harm, Samaritans volunteers are working to reduce suicide in their local area.

People who have lost someone close to them to suicide can be seven times more at risk of taking their own lives.

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritan will be working in partnership with the Anthony Seddon Fund in Ashton-under-Lyne where we will be joined by several local organisations.

There will be information stalls, activities, a singer and also a candlelit vigil to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

Director Janet Murphy said “Marking World Suicide Prevention Day alongside the Anthony Seddon Fund is a privilege for the volunteers at our branch who will be there to give support to anyone who needs it.”

Samaritans across England are also linking up with the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA)’s 250 members and supporters (who include Samaritans, MIND, Rethink Mental Illness, STORM training and Network Rail) working to highlight great partnerships.

 Jacqui Morrissey from Samaritans, who co-chairs the NSPA, said: “NSPA members working together are making suicide prevention more effective by using the expertise of partners and relevant organisations like the NHS and the police to reach as many people as possible and make suicide prevention everybody’s business.”

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