World Suicide Prevention Day at the iPro

[angieram]

World Suicide Prevention Day at the iPro

It is World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday 10th September. There will be a team of people from the Derbyshire Suicide Prevention Forum located outside the iPro on Saturday in the build-up to the match. We will be on the corner near Gregg's from 3 p.m.

We are raising awareness of Suicide Prevention and will be asking fans (of both teams!) to give their views and complete a quick survey. We think this is the first time this has been attempted with football fans, unless you know different.

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a free prize draw to win a signed Derby County shirt (that'll go down well with the Newcastle fans!)

There'll also be some qualified people around if you just want a chat about anything that's bothering you. 

Come and look us out and say hello.

I'll post a bit more in the run up to the day.

 

[Angry Ram]

Will pop by.. Worthy cause, had a friend who took his own life..

You would never have known he had a problem.

[angieram]

Here's a pic from the planning event just to let you know that we have the full support of DCFC and Derby County Community Trust.

 

[PrivateDerby]

Close family member took her own after suffering with post natal depression for 15 years, nothing anyone could do at the time.

Good stuff.

[JaguarRam]

Good cause. Great idea. I have suffered from OCD, BDD and depression for years. If I had not talked to someone then I would be in a very different place now. 

It is important for people who feel sucidal to realise they are not alone and to just talk to someone. Even if you don't think it will help. 

[angieram]

Thanks for the replies.

I've found out that we also have a Newcastle shirt to give away - do any of you know of a good Newcastle Forum where I can go and post this?

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Great work Angieram. I've not been personally affected although i'm high functioning aspergers which causes it's own issues. I have basically lived my life the past 30 years failing to understand the bizarreness of neurotypical human behaviour but trying to fit in with them anyway.  If I didn't, despite the fact that I've managed to go through life without nobody ever suspecting due to me being on so many levels just like your usual bloke who loves going out, footy, the pub and stuff, if I don't then i'd have been in trouble. In this day and age, anybody who is deemed to be 'slightly different' or going through mental difficulties seems to just get abuse or ignored by large sections of society.

Fine with me. To talk about difficulties and be proud to stand up and admit you are having problems says a lot more about the courage of those people than the 'courage' of those who love to mock. I just say to myself that I've got a problem yes, but it's no way near as big as theirs. Nowadays I have accepted that I'm wired differently and that it's nothing to be ashamed of. Just biology. I'm not going to go out and attack anyone or sit in the corner of a bus rocking and chanting to myself. We do have families, jobs, friends and things because other than that we're just like most others. Another ridiculous misconception that people who have anxiety, self esteem and confidence issues, OCD, bipolar, panic attacks or whatever are dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. There are quite a few sufferers who suffer things like the above and don't wish to seek help because they think they will be judged or seen as crazy and that's part of the problem so they suffer in silence. This has to stop and I applaud anybody willing to help people to see this as a fallacy. Yes some folk will say nasty things or judge you, for some reason that is part of human nature apparently but you know what? F**k 'em.

That's from someone with an aversion to bad language!

The facilities for immediate point of contact help too is non existent and often the only help out there comes from voluntary organisations which is an absolute disgrace. The Government and local health authorities have decimated mental health services as they see it as a problem that can't be seen so it's easier to get rid of. With the ever increasing pressures of life and increasing pressure that social media bullying and the like will bring in the future to youngsters especially then it's a no brainer. Mental health services will be needed more than ever. Another great political decision.

It is important to make people aware that problems aren't necessarily their doing, that talking about them to a GP / Counsellor  is healthy, helpful and courageous and that the people that really matter won't think anything less of them. Then they can access the help they need and prevent any future problems as best they can.

I'm taking a mate with me (neurotypical ) to the Newcastle game so we'll keep an eye out and certainly participate in anything.

 

 

[SaintRam]

Always great to hear that these sorts of things are taking place. Good work @angieram

 

If I attended games any more I'd be sure to pop by, probably doesn't come as a surprise to many. 

 

I hope it changes some lives. 

[dog]

In my role as an education professional I can only say that our ability to discuss such issues openly and without disparagement is a sign of a healthy culture.  Accepting all is vitally important,  whether we are different from norms due to gender,  race, ethnicity or how we are genetically wired is immaterial. We are all the same species.  We to look after one another. No matter what.

[angieram]

There is an online version of the survey now. Anyone can fill it in, whether attending the match or not. It's anonymous and confidential.

If you are attending the match please come and complete the survey at the tent. You can then enter the free prize draw for the signed shirts. Your information will be kept separate to the survey to maintain confidentiality and the prize winners will be announced at half time.

Unfortunately you can't enter the draw unless you're at the match on Saturday, sorry. But do please complete the survey - the more responses the better!

When I work out how to embed a post from twitter I'll provide the link!!!

 

[angieram]

http://Take a look at @DrAllanJohnston's Tweet: https://twitter.com/DrAllanJohnston/status/773548880055136256?s=09

[angieram]

Derby County Community Trust have now published full information about the activities on Saturday on their website:

http://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/about-derby-county-in-the-community/latest-news/574-rams-fans-encouraged-to-talk-about-how-they-feel-this-saturday-win-lose-or-draw.html

Fans attending Derby County’s match against Newcastle United this Saturday (10 September) will be urged to speak up if they are feeling down – whatever the result of the game.

DCFC and Derby County Community Trust will be teaming up with a number of local organisations – including Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, the Samaritans and the county’s mental health trust, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – to inspire fans from both clubs to tell someone if they are feeling ‘off their game’. 

The match day coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, an annual event to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented. The theme this year is ‘connect, communicate, care’ and fans coming to the iPro Stadium will be given tips and information on how to improve their wellbeing – and the wellbeing of those around them – by reaching out to others, including contact details for Derby County’s own Active Supporters programme, as well as charities and health services that can help in times of crisis.

There will also be videos on the big screen inside the stadium from members of the Derby County first team squad, giving advice on ways to improve how you feel, and a charity collection will be made for organisations that specialise in suicide prevention – such as the Samaritans, State of Mind (a charity that harnesses the power of sport to promote positive mental health) and Cruse Bereavement Care.

Among those present to chat with fans will be two sporting heroes from the rugby world: Jimmy Gittins, a former professional rugby league player who overcame a serious neck injury and now helps others with their rehabilitation from illness; and Ian Knott, a former professional player for Warrington Wakefield and Leigh, who now works for the charity State of Mind in fighting the stigmas of mental illness.

Dr Allan Johnston, a consultant psychiatrist at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust who chairs the trust’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Group, says: “We’re very grateful to Derby County FC and Derby County Community Trust for the opportunity to talk with their fans about this really important subject.

“Every two hours, someone dies in this country as a result of suicide. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 45 – and it’s something that’s affected the footballing community in recent years, too. Yet many people feel they can’t or shouldn’t talk about suicide, or even how they’re feeling.

“We’re hoping that Saturday’s event will help to challenge that stigma, and show people that it’s OK to talk when you’re feeling anxious, stressed or down. We’re also hoping to bust a few myths along the way – for example, the misconception that talking to someone who is suicidal won’t make any difference. The truth is that suicide is a complex condition and often has multiple causes; people are often upset, grief-stricken, depressed or in extreme distress and they want the pain to stop. That’s why it’s so important that people who are feeling low are encouraged to speak up and get help – because it can make all the difference in the world.”

Roger Davies, Derby County Ambassador said, “We’re delighted to support the campaign; it’s staggering that suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 45, we want to help make a difference and urge our fans to seek help if they are feeling off their game. There are so many ways in which you can make a positive change in your life such as the five ways to wellbeing: 

1.             CONNECT – ring a mate or family member, have a chat, arrange a meet-up

2.             BE ACTIVE – go for a walk or run, have a game of footie, join our Active Supporters programme

3.             TAKE NOTICE – of all the good stuff around you

4.             LEARN – a new skill, play a new sport

5.             GIVE – volunteer, help a stranger, be part of something ‘big’.”

Tell us your attitudes and experiences of suicide, residents urged

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has a research team which focuses specifically on suicide prevention. The team wants to know from residents of Derby and Derbyshire: is it easy to talk about suicide?

They have created a short survey and are encouraging people to complete it by visiting: bit.ly/DerbyshireWSPD

Fans attending the Derby County vs Newcastle United match will also be asked to complete this survey.

[angieram]

 

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Great efforts by all today. I had a brief chat with someone (just about stuff in general and not about suicide ) and got some information and just wanted to say credit to everyone associated with this for all their hard work.