CWU's Health & Safety Policy Assistant, Jsamie McGovern, has issued a Letter to Branches (LTB195/25) on suicide prevention and support agencies, given that today (10th September) is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Here, Jamie explains how suiscide prevention is a major campaign by the Union, with the Postal Constituency having done for several years now, important work on Mental Health education and Suicide Prevention through it's network of Mental Health First Aiders, and the creation by the soon to be closed down North West Regional Committee; of the CWU NW Regional Mental Health Network; of which these pages of the unionsafety.eu website support the Network and MHFAs across the CWU.
Jamie writes in his letter to branches:
Dear Colleagues,
Suicide is a major public health challenge with more than 720,000 deaths each year globally.
A death by suicide occurs globally once every 43 seconds. Suicide is the biggest killer of people
aged 35 and under in the UK.
Latest statistics | Papyrus
The CWU is continually striving to be a ‘suicide safer’ organisation. Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide.
The theme through 2024 to 2026 remains ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with an associated call to action of ‘Start the Conversation’.
In recognising the above triennial theme, the CWU is in its second year of ’30 for 30’ training, whereby at least 30 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) will be trained in 30 days for World Suicide prevention month.
As Part of our Mental Health Strategy Programme, continued training of accredited Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) remains a priority, to ensure that conversations can take place at any given time in workplaces where we have representation.
Since 2020 a cohort of CWU mental health first aid instructors have been frequently training CWU members/representatives in Mental Health First Aid on the 2-day MHFA England training course. At the time of this LTB Publication, 641 people have been trained in the 2-day MHFA England course by the CWU.
CWU newly trained MHFAiders are also now encouraged to pursue the Royal Society Of Public Health Qualification RSPH Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid · MHFA England,
Discussions between branches and regions are now encouraged to explore if the 2026 programme of CWU MHFA training is something you may wish to consider. The current CWU MHFA England training includes a session on crisis training for suicide first aid, exploring suicide language and warning signs for suicide.
For this year, the life-saving importance of helplines like HOPELINE247 have been shared in a new CWU Young Workers Health and Safety Pocket Guide under the heading ‘Let’s talk Mental Health’ with other signposting services also available via the following link:
Young people - Shining a Light on Suicide
It remains hugely important that as an active Trade Union we understand the important factors affecting mental ill health by being ready to:
• Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions.
• Provide immediate Mental Health First Aid to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis.
• Listen non-judgmentally and hold supportive conversations.
• Signpost people to professional help.
One of the organisations that the CWU has worked with in partnership recently is Storm Skills Training, Storm being an acronym for Suicide Training on Risk Management.
They are a not for-
profit social enterprise, and they have produced a resource pack for World Suicide Prevention Day
which can be accessed via the link below. This resource offers practical, person-centred language tips to support safer conversations around suicide and self-harm - using words that are respectful, sensitive, and stigma-reducing, along with further resource links to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) who have taken responsibility for setting the continued triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 Resources - Changing the Narrative on Suicide
We are also aware that talking can also be impactful. One of the key messages during CWU MHFA training is the importance of self-care for anyone supporting a vulnerable individual.
The CWU has taken part in the consultation on British Standard BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide. The aim of our participation is to hopefully help shape a robust, inclusive framework that works for all.
British Standards Institution - Project
Please remember talking about feelings doesn’t have to be scary.Please remember there is always hope.
Clicking on the following link can take you to your nearest support service.
Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope
Further information supplied in the LTB, can be found in the Unionsafety E-Library:
Attachment – Suicide-Beareavement-Outreach-Brief-2024-2026
Attachment – YW health and safety pocket guide – v2
Workplace Poster with QR code SAMARITANS
Se also:
Royal Mail Video On Mental Health Features CWU Member
Mental Health First Aider Designs Poster To Encourage Talking
