Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and partner agencies – Hampshire Constabulary, Isle of Wight Council (including social care and public health) and Isle of Wight NHS Trust have announced consultation on two important strategies.
The consultation is seeking to establish what is needed over the next five years to ensure that Island residents have good mental health and support, when required. This is being supported by the Island’s Health and Wellbeing Board and the – ‘My Life A Full Life’ programme.
Following extensive stakeholder engagement with organisations and individuals affected by mental health and suicide across the Island the Clinical Commissioning Group has published, on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board, two draft strategies:
- Isle of Wight Mental Health Strategy 2014-2019
- Isle of Wight Suicide Prevention Strategy 2014-2019
The strategies can be downloaded from the ‘Get Involved’ section of the CCG website at https://www.isleofwightccg.nhs.uk/public-consultations.htm .
The Mental Health Strategy looks at mental health and wellbeing on the Island and in particular focuses on vulnerable groups such as looked after children, people with long term conditions, older people, people known to the justice system and veterans.
Comments on the Mental Health Strategy should be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent to Mental Health Strategy, Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Building A, The APEX, St. Cross Business Park, Newport, Isle of Wight,PO30 5XW by Tuesday15th July.
The two main aims of the Suicide Prevention Strategy, which sits under the Mental Heath Strategy, are to reduce the suicide rate in the general population on the Isle of Wight and to increase support for those bereaved or affected by suicide. The strategy looks at both national and local policies and outcomes and considers some priority areas including:
- Reducing the risk of suicide in high risk groups
- Improving mental health in specific groups
- Reducing access to the means of suicide
- Better information and support for those bereaved or affected by suicide
- Support for media in delivering sensitive approaches to suicide and suicidal behavior
Writing in the forward to the strategy Dr Rivers says:
“On the Isle of Wight, when we lose a life to suicide, the pain and anguish felt by the families, friends and communities has a detrimental effect. Suicide prevention is an important priority for the Island and I would like to share my appreciation to the bereaved families who have contributed to the development of this strategy.
“There is no doubt that we face a difficult challenge to reduce the suicide rates across the Isle of Wight. It is therefore vital that we continue to work together to reduce the incidents of suicide and self-harm in our local communities. The Health and Well-Being Board has agreed that all organisations on the Island should play a proactive role in delivering actions that raise the awareness of the risks of suicide and support and contribute to the work towards its prevention. It is important that we work in partnership across the voluntary, public and private sectors in order to make the greatest impact.”
Comments on the Suicide Prevention Strategy should be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent to Suicide Prevention Strategy, Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Building A, The APEX, St. Cross Business Park, Newport, Isle of Wight,PO30 5XW by Tuesday 15th July.
