In June 2024, we shared the news that The Suicide Prevention Capacity Builder Project would use CPSL Mind’s existing STOP Suicide campaign, workshops and resources, and adapt them for three high-risk groups: LGBTQ+, Neurodiverse and migrated communities. This was all made possible because The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) commissioned Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind (CPSL Mind) as part of the Suicide Prevention Grant Fund 2023-2025.
As we move towards the project’s end, we want to share how successful it has been, shining a spotlight on, and co-producing with, the high-risk communities we sought to support. Having now delivered training to over 300 people (900+ hours of training) both online and in person, it is clear from the overwhelmingly positive feedback that the workshops filled knowledge gaps on; factors that might contribute to suicidal feelings in higher-risk communities, asking about suicide, and safety planning.
The Suicide Prevention Capacity Builder Manager Chrissy Dillon said, “I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved alongside our partners (The Kite Trust, Safe Soulmates, Boston Wellbeing Hub), knowing that this work has the potential to start a conversation that could save someone’s life. We know that by recognising the signs of distress, providing support, understanding and signposting, we can prevent suicide. We would like to thank all of those who have given their time to the project by; completing the training, being involved in focus groups, sharing the training amongst colleagues and friends, providing feedback on resources, venue hire, translation, and to all those that have shared their stories – we honestly couldn’t have done it without you”.
Throughout the project, our team has made strong connections with professionals and been warmly invited to events across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire, where we’ve shared resources. This work will be future-proofed as our CPSL Mind training team will continue to deliver the adapted STOP Suicide training across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire once the project comes to an end. Furthermore, the project’s legacy will be felt across the partner organisations for many years to come, where we’ve worked collaboratively to develop suicide prevention policies and procedures, which includes an easy-read version for those that would prefer it, available to all staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.
Training via the project will continue until the 31st of March with limited availability and can be booked through Eventbrite or via our website. Further opportunities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for STOP Suicide training can be found by emailing Training@cpslmind.org.uk.
February 10, 2025
