To consider and sign off the strategy.

Anna Richards explained that this agenda item continued the theme of prevention, the Suicide Prevention Strategy was a Berkshire wide plan covering the period from 2021-2026. Councils had a responsibility to develop a plan and appropriate action plan.

Charlotte Littlemore, Public Health Programme Officer, explained that she had been representing RBWM at the steering group. There were a number of national strategy themes and principles, with the new strategy being a refresh of the previous strategy. A working group had been established within the steering group who had worked together to identify the key principles. The data underpinning the strategy had come from a variety of sources, including the Berkshire suicide prevention 2018 audit along with the impact of Covid on mental health. Suicide rates in RBWM had been significantly below the national average, however since 2019 this rate has risen to be similar to the national average. The vision of the strategy was to reduce deaths by suicide in Berkshire and ensure better knowledge and actions around self-harm.

Charlotte Littlemore explained that suicide represented the extreme end point of mental ill-health, there were a number of people who experienced suicidal thoughts, self-harmed and attempted suicide that were not recorded in the figures. Self-harm was an area that the steering group wanted to explore, it was considered the strongest predictor of suicide and made up a number of hospital admissions. There had been a growing increase in female suicides, with a decrease in the rate of male suicide. Three key areas of concern were linked to female suicide; perinatal mental health, domestic abuse and parent or carer stress. Economic factors also needed to be considered and that those suffering were able to receive support. The final focus in the strategy was around those who had been bereaved by suicide. People who had been bereaved by suicide were at greater risk of suicide themselves and there was also an increase in self-harming. Charlotte Littlemore concluded by outlining some of the overall recommendations within the strategy.

The Chairman said it was vital that suicide was talked about openly and the strategy was in place to provide support to those who were at risk of taking their own life. Prevention was again a key focus which linked in with the previous agenda item.

Hilary Hall, Executive Director of Adults, Health and Housing, asked if there were any particular local issues and what was the RBWM response, as some things could be missed at the Berkshire wide level.

Anne Richards explained that the strategy was overarching and was a collaborative approach across Berkshire in terms of resources. The next steps for the steering group were to develop action plans for specific areas and consider the next steps for each local authority.

Charlotte Littlemore said that the strategy covered the period 2021-26 and there were therefore a significant number of recommendations included. The steering group agreed that there would be a reactive nature to the data as there was a time lag. A separate working group had been set up to see where actions could be taken forward with regard to the increased rates of female suicide. Work was being done closely with mental health services in the borough to understand any emerging themes.

Councillor Bhangra asked what more could be done to educate people on the role of the media and communications and how it linked to poor mental health.

Charlotte Littlemore said that the steering group had put communications on the agenda to be considered. The group was working closely with the Samaritans, it was a priority to take forward.

The Chairman suggested that the steering group should look to engage with local media and ensure that reporting is handled in the appropriate way. The role of social media could also lead to significant negativity, the government was looking to bring forward an online digital bill to deal with the issue. The Chairman also felt that internet providers should do more to prevent negative and harmful content being posted online.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Health and Wellbeing Board approved the Berkshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-26.