Live ChatTo mark Suicide Awareness Day, the RAF Personal Support & Social Work Service is highlighting the importance of talking openly and honestly about mental health and seeking support early. Over the past year, almost one in five people contacting the service have done so for mental health-related reasons, with nearly half needing ongoing support. Mental health can affect anyone, regardless of age, rank, gender, location or station, and no one should feel they have to face difficult thoughts or feelings alone.
Suicide is complex, but it is preventable. People experiencing suicidal thoughts may feel overwhelmed, hopeless or a burden, yet with the right help and understanding, people can and do go on to live full and healthy lives.
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day and the PS&SWS want to join others in keeping suicide prevention on the agenda. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has a vision of a ‘compassionate world, free of suicide’ - read more about them and their aims here.
Closer to home, the Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) is a UK based suicide awareness and prevention initiative whose purpose is to empower, educate and equip individuals and organisations to recognise what action they can take to support suicide awareness and prevention. They offer a free online Suicide Awareness Training course to anyone who wants to learn basic suicide awareness and prevention skills - find out more on their website here.
We encourage RAF personnel to complete the Zero Suicide Alliance Online Suicide prevention training available through the DLE or attending a regional RAF Gatekeeper course, once nominated by your local station to attend.
The RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service (PS&SWS) is here to support members of the RAF community in a way that works for them, whether they are feeling low, struggling with day-to-day life, or unsure where to turn for help. This includes intervention for spouses, partners, friends and colleagues who are concerned about someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, offering guidance, advice and signposting to help them provide effective support.
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Jump to a section on this page: ⇩ World Suicide Prevention Day Resources ⇩ Support Agencies and Resources ⇩ Helplines |
