Agenda item - Suicide Prevention in Brighton and Hove Action Plan and Sussex Strategy

Report of the Interim Director of Public Health (copy attached).

28.1    This item was presented by Bernadette Alves, BHCC Consultant in Public Health; Agnes Munday, Head of Training, Grassroots Suicide Prevention; and Emma Sharpe, B&H School Mental Health Service, Brighton & Hove City Council.

28.2    Ms Alves introduced the report, outlining the challenges facing the city and the work being undertaken to address them.

28.3    Members asked questions on issues including:

·       Suicide awareness training availability and who should receive training

·       What can be done to focus more on treating the causes rather than the symptoms of suicide and self-harm

·       The impact of violence against women and girls (VAWG) on suicide and self-harm and how VAWG colleagues are engaged

·       The lack of supported housing, particularly for young women in crisis

·       The general crisis on mental health, particularly in terms of services being too stretched to deal properly with people seeking help and support

·       Preventative work being undertaken in school settings

·       The use of Integrated Care Teams to help bridge the gaps between primary care and statutory mental health services

·       Out of hours access to services.

28.4    Dr Colin Hicks noted that Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been refreshing the Trust Strategy, and that the number 1 priority going forward will be suicide, with a commitment to deliver a 20% reduction in community suicides and to have no suicides in mental health beds. This priority will be supported by the additional adult mental health beds recently opened at Mill View hospital, by reducing out of area placements, and by plans to provide better crisis support for young people.

28.5    Stephen Lightfoot noted that the key to improving local outcomes is to build on the current good partnership working to ensure that services work together as effectively as possible.

28.6    RESOLVED – that the Board (1) notes progress against the three-year Brighton & Hove Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024-27; and (2) supports future progress of the Brighton & Hove Suicide Prevention Action Plan.