A SMALL action could help to prevent a suicide in the Bradford district.

This is the message from mental health charity Mind in Bradford ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day today.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention’s theme for this year is Creating Hope Through Action.

The latest figures for Bradford District show that in 2016-18, 115 people died by suicide. This equates to a rate of 8.8 deaths per 100,000 population.

Of these deaths, over three quarters were men, and the highest number of deaths was in the 40 to 49 age bracket.

For World Suicide Prevention Day, Mind in Bradford is asking the district’s residents to join us in Creating Hope Through Action.

Through action, you can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments - as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a neighbour. We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide.

Create hope through action by:

  • Reaching out and getting help
  • Checking in on others
  • Donating to Mind in Bradford – our services save lives and just £15 funds half an hour of one-to-one crisis support for someone experiencing mental health crisis

Mind in Bradford’s crisis service, Sanctuary, provides a calm, non-clinical, safe space for anyone aged 16+ experiencing mental health distress. It is often used as an alternative to going to hospital. Between April 2020 and March 2021, this service helped 992 people at 2,995 attendances and made 1,746 follow up calls. More than 40 per cent of attendances were by men.

The number of crisis support attendances at The Sanctuary increased by more than a third in this year – a reflection of how people have been reaching out for more help during the pandemic.

Anyone of any age experiencing mental health distress in the Bradford District or Craven should call First Response on 0800 952 1181.

For more information on Mind in Bradford’s services, go to mindinbradford.org.uk