A NEW plan to prevent suicide and self-harm in North Wales aims to make the issue ‘everybody’s business’.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), Public Health Wales, local authorities, North Wales Police and third sector groups including the Samaritans have come together to develop a strategic action plan to reduce suicide and self-harm over the next three years.

Feedback from Caniad, which represents people who have a lived experience of mental health problems, has also been used to put the plan together.

The plan was identified as a key priority in BCUHB’s recently published mental health strategy.

Richard Birch from Brymbo near Wrexham made a number of attempts to take his own life. His feedback has been used to put the plan together.

“When I’m experiencing suicidal thoughts I feel very lonely and isolated. There’s often a conviction that nobody loves or cares for you," he said.

“Knowing the triggers when people are feeling desperate and making them feel wanted and needed can really help. I’ve also found that using the CALL Mental Health Helpline and talking to others has helped.

“Suicide is still a taboo subject and the behaviours associated with suicide and self-harm are still perceived as ‘attention seeking’ and negative. I think that this plan has an important role to play in raising awareness.”

Professor Robert Atenstaedt, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with BCUHB’s Public Health Directorate, said:

“Every suicide is a tragedy that has a significant impact on family members, friends, colleagues and the wider community long after a person has died.

“Statistics show that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 years, and for every person who dies by suicide, another nine will have attempted to take their own life.”

Dr Gwenllian Parry, chair of the multi-agency North Wales Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Group, said: “No single organization can reduce suicide and self-harm by themselves, and it will require a dedicated long-term focus and a commitment to continue to work together so that suicide and self-harm prevention truly becomes everyone’s business.”

The plan will target priority groups including men in mid-life; people over 75 years with depression and a physical illness; children and young people with a background of vulnerability; people in mental health services and people with a history of self-harm.