The Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership have joined forces with Hull City Council’s Public Health Team to launch a series of free webinars during the first two weeks of November – to coincide with Movember and raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

The webinars, which are aimed at employers, employees and members of the public are designed to increase knowledge and understanding of mental health, particularly suicide prevention.  The webinars will include guest speakers talking about gambling, addictions, substance misuse, and hangover in the workplace. We also have some powerful stories from people with lived experience who have found the courage/support to continue to live.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 5,691 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2019 – which amounts to around one death by suicide every 90 minutes. Yorkshire and Humber had some of the highest rates in the country. A survey carried out by mental health charity Mind indicates that one in six employees has experienced depression, anxiety or unmanageable stress in the workplace.

Councillor Gwen Lunn, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services and Public Health, Hull City Council said:

 “We are excited to be working in partnership with the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership to offer these free webinars at a time when many people are experiencing challenges that are impacting on mental health and wellbeing. In addition to raising awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, the webinars will aim to help participants gain confidence to address and talk about these issues.”

Jo Kent, Suicide Prevention Lead for the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership, said:

“It’s great to be working alongside Hull City Council’s Public Health Team on these free webinars which will be vital for people across our local area. In Humber, Coast and Vale we continue to work collaboratively with a number of organisations, including local people and businesses, to prevent suicides from happening in our communities.”

The webinars are free to attend, and they will be taking place on the following dates:

• Monday 2^nd November (1:30-3pm) – Sexual Health, Lived Experience and Young People
• Wednesday 4^th November (10:30am-12pm) – Public Health, Autism and Suicide and Andy’s Man Club
• Monday 9^th November (1:30-3pm) – Substance misuse, Hope and Recovery and Gambling
• Wednesday 11^th November (10:30am-12pm) –Bereavement, 5 Ways to Wellbeing and Sudden Death

Volunteers from Hull and East Yorkshire Mind will also be on hand during the webinars to support attendees, should they find the sessions difficult or need any additional support going forward.

If you are interested in attending these free workshops, please visit Eventbrite to book your place. The events will be taking place over Microsoft Teams therefore an internet connection is required. To book your place, visit Eventbrite here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/humber-coast-and-vale-health-and-care-partnership-31357592305

For attendees wishing to learn more about suicide prevention, there is also a FREE 20 minute training video available at www.talksuicide.co.uk. The training aims to help individuals to SPOT the signs when someone may be feeling suicidal, how to SPEAK to them openly, and how to SIGNPOST them to professional support and services. There is also a range of resources for businesses wanting to roll this training out to their team. Request a free business pack at www.talksuicide.co.uk/employers

Further information:

The Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership is a collaboration of health and social care organisations who are working together to improve health and care across our area.

The Humber, Coast and Vale area stretches along the East coast of England from Scarborough to Cleethorpes, incorporating the cities of Hull and York and large rural areas across Northern Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire, with a total population of around 1.7 million people.