Agenda item

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Public Health County Durham that provided an update on the recommendations made in the review into Suicide Rates and Mental Health and wellbeing in County Durham and that highlighted the work completed towards the County Durham’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2018-2021) (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Director of Public Health advised that the report would highlight the updates on the work carried out further to the recommendations set out by this Scrutiny Committee.  She explained that this was a real priority area including child mental health and dementia friendly communities.  Reports to Health and Wellbeing Board were a strategic priority and a lot of work was ongoing on the run up to World Mental Health Day.

The Public Health Strategic Manager gave an update on the work carried out in relation to the eight recommendations and highlighted the work of the Suicide Prevention Alliance and its six priority areas:-

·        Reduce the risk of suicide in key high risk areas

·        Tailor approaches to improve mental health in specific groups

·        Reduce access to the means of suicide

·        Improve reasons and provide between information and support to those bereaved or affected by suicide

·        Support the media in delivering sensitive approaches to suicide and suicidal behaviour

·        Support research, data collection and monitoring

The Chair thanked officers for this report that touched on some very important issues.

Referring to the high risk areas and the mental health support, Councillor Bell asked about the early alert system and post prevention support pathways.  The Public Health Strategic Manager said that friends, family or anyone affected would be recognised and a form from the Police via the coroner would trigger immediate support for them and the practicalities of how to deal with what had happened.  The response was immediate but could be a referral back when the person required the support.

Councillor Stephenson referred to hot spot areas in the County and asked if there would be more pro-active work in these areas. She also asked if the AAPs were alerted and asked to support.  The Public Health Strategic Manager explained that they do monitor when deaths occur and the timeframe between them.  The guidance criteria was referred to and would look at where the death occurred, the time and any potential social connections, looking for any evidence of social connectiveness.  Further work was ongoing in this area.  With regards to the AAPs she explained that significant amounts of work had been carried out with them and Public Health wold always welcome the conversation.  She added that it was difficult when identifying areas as hot spots as they did want to stigmatise an area.  Instead they would touch upon suicide prevention and mental health awareness and ask the AAP to take a broader approach in these areas of concern.

Councillor Smith was advised that there was a connection to child deaths and the service were incorporating bereavement services for the wider family and schools.  The Deputy Director of Public Health chaired the Child Death Panels.

Referring to disabilities Councillor Quinn asked if these reasons for suicide were monitored.  She was advised that this was part of the audit and every case file was looked at to determine the factors that led to suicide.

Councillor Huntington said that traveller groups had a higher rate of suicides and she understood how hard it was for them to receive help.  She asked how the strategy ensured that these communities were supported.  The Public Health Strategic Manager explained that health visitors were the best way to get into the Gypsy, Roman Traveller sites as by going in to visit a child can pave the way to help the whole family.  This can then lead to support from the wider health and wellbeing services.  As a point of contact the Director of Public Health said that people should contact the Head of Consumer Protection or herself to raise any concerns about the GRT communities.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised that this was the first opportunity for the committee to have sight of progress against the action plan and a further update would come back.

Resolved:

That the report and updates be noted.