Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

Several factors determine whether a person is likely to take their own life and theseinclude physically disabling or painful illnesses, mental illness, alcohol and drugmisuse and level of support. Stressful life events such as death, loss of a job,relationship breakdown or imprisonment can also contribute and for many people it isa combination of factors rather than a single cause (Great Britain. Department ofHealth, 2002). Suicide is the most common cause of death in men under the age of35 and the main cause of death in people who have a mental illness. We know that75% of individuals who commit suicide are not in touch with mental health services,nor do they have a mental disorder (Great Britain. Department of Health, 2001),hence a broad strategic approach is required involving a wide range of health andsocial care agencies, voluntary organisations, Government departments, and theprivate sector so that suicide prevention is everyone‟s business.The current National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England (Great Britain.Department of Health, 2002) set out targets for 2009–11 for reductions in the suiciderate via actions to reduce risk in key high-risk groups, and to promote mentalwellbeing in the wider population. This has been followed up by the Department ofHealth new Mental Health Strategy New Horizons: Towards a Shared Vision ofMental Health in 2009 (Great Britain. Department of Health, 2009c). This reportedgood progress in the reduction of suicide rates in the general population and in theprevention of suicide among young men, on mental health wards and in prisons. Itidentifies the need for the development of a refreshed strategy by the NationalSuicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group, covering the changing demography ofour society and the current economic climate. This will consider the risks of differentgroups; for example, young men leaving the forces, older men and ruralcommunities.Dudley developed two strategic documents following the NSF namely:A Joint Mental Health Strategy for Dudley Health and Social Care Economy2004-2010The Dudley Adult Mental Health Joint Commissioning Strategy 2010-2013The latter of these two documents gives a comprehensive account of the servicescommissioned and an action plan to develop the services further and these considerthe major associated health inequalities.Taking Positive Steps in Dudley (Thompson and Gaddu, 2004) was developed as alocal suicide prevention strategy and delivered the following key actions:A Suicide Audit and Prevention Group was established to collate data anddevelop local actions.PCT carried out an analysis of the Significant Event Audits collated andidentified areas for action/setting of local standards.Suicide Prevention Awareness Packs were developed and disseminated viatraining to 62 GP practices.Mental health services recorded progress against Preventing Suicide: A toolkitfor mental health services (NIMHE, 2003).Developed and disseminated Dudley‟s Good Mental Health Guide across allsectors to enable signposting to relevant agencies.176