A free event raising awareness for suicide in Cornwall

The Cornwall Council Public Health team have organised a Towards Zero Suicide event to mark this year's World Mental Health Awareness Day.

It is taking place at Falmouth's Princess Pavillion on the 10th October from 5.30pm until 8.30pm and the main focus will be around the role everyone has to play in reducing the stigma around mental health and in developing the services and interventions that will make a real difference to people's lives.

Public Health Consultant, Dr Ruth Goldstein said: "Moving towards zero suicide in Cornwall can only be done through collaboration and meaningful engagement.

"Everyone is welcome at this evening event so that we can come together to recognise much of the great work that is already on-going, to update you on the progress made since our last event in September 2018, and to further develop our work."

The event will look in more detail at:

• How best to engage with people about mental health and suicide
• How to create suicide safer communities
• Self-harm in children and young people

Dr Goldstein added: "Whether you have experience as a service user, you have been bereaved by suicide, you work in mental health or are an interested citizen, we all have a role to play and we welcome your contribution.

"Cornwall has a high rate of suicides compared to other parts of the UK so it is imperative that we all take action to reduce the number of people who, for whatever reason, feel there is no other way out."

This event and engagement with people across the region add further to the work being undertaken by Cornwall Council and its partners which includes:

• Support for workplaces affected by suicide
• Toolkits for sports coaches and primary care workers to be able to recognise signs of poor mental health and support people
• Raising awareness of suicide and mental health through the 'Don't flush your life away' and 'How are you really feeling?' campaigns

To find out more about the event and book your place, click the button below.