Information resource pack 2012
Contents Page Glossary, Notes and Further Information... 5 Facts about Samaritans... 7 Samaritans Headline Statistics 2011... 9 Samaritans Branches... 10 Section 1: Samaritans Contacts... 11 Section 2: Samaritans Branches and Volunteers... 24 Section 3: Samaritans in the UK and Republic of Ireland... 34 Section 4: Samaritans Publications... 43 Section 5: Further Information... 44 Section 1: Samaritans Contacts... 11 Graph 1: Number of Dialogue Contacts 1986-2011... 12 Table 1: Number of Dialogue Contacts 1986-2011.... 12 Graph 2: Number of Snap Calls 1994-2011... 13 Table 2: Number of Snap Calls 1994-2011... 13 Graph 3: Number of Dialogue Contacts and Snap Calls 1994-2011... 14 Graph 4: Dialogue Contacts by Method 2011... 15 Table 3: Dialogue Contacts by Method 1994-2011... 15 Graph 5: Number of Telephone Dialogue Contacts 1994-2011... 16 Graph 6: Number of Email Contact Replies 1994-2011....16 Graph 7: Number of Face-to-Face Contacts in Branches 1994-2011....17 Graph 8: Number of Letter Contact Replies 1994-2011....17 Table 4: Nature of Contact 2007-2011... 18 Graph 9: Nature of All Dialogue Contacts 2011... 19 Table 5: Nature of All Dialogue, Email and SMS Contacts 2011... 19 Graph 10: Nature of All Dialogue, Email and SMS Contacts 2011....20 Graph 11: Percentage of All Dialogue Contacts by Contact Gender 1992-2011... 20 Table 6: All Dialogue Contacts by Contact Gender 1992-2011... 21 Table 7: Email and SMS Contacts by Contact Gender 2011... 21 Graph 12: Percentage of Dialogue Contacts by Contact Gender and Method 2011... 22 Graph 13: Number of Events with Outreach Activities 2011... 23 Graph 14: Number of People at Events with Outreach Activities 2011... 23 Table 8: Outreach and Public Awareness 2011... 23 Section 2: Samaritans Branches and Volunteers....24 Graph 15: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Branch 1986-2011....24 Table 9: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Branch 1986-2011... 24 Graph 16: Number of Active Listening Volunteers 1986-2011... 25 Table 10: Number of Active Listening Volunteers 1986-2011....25 Graph 17: Number of New Listening Volunteers 1986-2011....26 Table 11: Number of New Listening Volunteers 1986-2011....26 Graph 18: Age and Gender of Listening Volunteers 2011... 27 Table 12: Number of Listening Volunteers by Age and Gender 2011....27 Graph 19: Age and Gender of Support Volunteers 2011... 28 Table 13: Number of Support Volunteers by Age and Gender 2011... 28 Graph 20: Age of Listening Volunteers 2011... 29 3
Graph 21: Age of Support Volunteers 2011... 29 Graph 22: Gender of Listening Volunteers 2011... 30 Graph 23: Gender of Support Volunteers 2011....30 Graph 24: Number of Dialogue Contacts and Active Listening Volunteers 1986-2011... 31 Graph 25: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Active Listening Volunteer 1986-2011... 31 Table 14: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Active Listening Volunteer 1996-2011... 32 Graph 26: Support Volunteer Roles 2011....33 Table 15: Support and Shop Volunteer Roles 2011... 33 Section 3: Samaritans in the UK and Republic of Ireland... 34 Graph 27: Number of Branches, Active Listening Volunteers, Dialogue Contacts UK and ROI, 2011... 34 Table 16: Number of Branches, Active Listening Volunteers and Dialogue Contacts UK and ROI 2011...34 Graph 28: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Active Listening Volunteer UK and ROI 2011... 35 Table 17: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Active Listening Volunteer UK and ROI 2011... 35 Graph 29: Nature of Contact UK and ROI 2011... 36 Table 18: Nature of Contact UK and ROI 2011... 36 Graph 30: Contact Gender UK and ROI 2011.... 37 Table 19: Contact Gender UK and ROI 2011... 37 Graph 31: Number of Dialogue Contacts England 1986-2011... 38 Graph 32: Number of Dialogue Contacts Northern Ireland 1986-2011....38 Graph 33: Number of Dialogue Contacts Republic of Ireland 1986-2011... 39 Graph 34: Number of Dialogue Contacts Scotland 1986-2011... 39 Graph 35: Number of Dialogue Contacts Wales 1986-2011....40 Graph 36: Events with Outreach Activities UK and ROI 2011....41 Table 20: Number of Events with Outreach Activities UK and ROI 2011... 41 Graph 37: Number of People at Events with Outreach Activities UK and ROI 2011... 42 Table 21: Number of People at Events with Outreach Activities UK and ROI 2011... 42 Section 4: Samaritans Publications....43 Section 5: Further Information... 44 4
Glossary, Notes and Further Information Snap and dialogue contacts Contact describes each time a caller makes contact with Samaritans. This can be by telephone, email, SMS, minicom, Typetalk, letter or face-to-face. Snap calls are telephone contacts that last for only a few seconds. Dialogue contacts are all contacts where the caller feels able to speak or to communicate with Samaritans by telephone, email, SMS, minicom, Typetalk, letter or face-to-face. Volunteers Samaritans is a volunteer-led organisation, which remains one of its continuing strengths and also employs a small number of paid staff at its Central Office. There are many volunteering opportunities within Samaritans. Listening Volunteers provide the emotional support service to callers by telephone, email, SMS, minicom, letter and face-to-face. Inactive Listening Volunteers are those who are temporarily not providing the emotional support service and may be on a leave of absence. Support Volunteers carry out essential tasks to ensure efficient management of the local branches, such as administration, finance and publicity. Shop Volunteers run Samaritans shops to fundraise and raise awareness of Samaritans within local communities. Data Collection The information in Sections 1, 2 and 3 is collected in each branch and sent to Samaritans Central Office for collation and analysis. Information from 2011 has not been received from eleven branches and so information from 2010 has been substituted for these branches. Data Auditing Information is audited on receipt and queried and amended as appropriate. Please note that in 2012 an additional audit of historical data was performed; as a result of this some of the historical data do not match information in previous IRPs. Please disregard previous editions where information is different and continue to use the information published in this edition. Where relevant, percentage points have been rounded up/down and therefore do not total to exactly 100%. Further Information For further information or statistics, please contact Miriam Piterkova, the Operations Officer at Samaritans Central Office, Direct Line: 020 8394 8309 or email stats@samaritans.org Media Contacts: If you re in the media and would like to speak to someone about Samaritans, please contact the press office by calling the main switchboard number at Samaritans Central Office, 020 8394 8300, and ask to speak to a member of the Press Team or email press@samaritans.org. 5
For all other enquiries: Samaritans Central Office, The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Ewell, KT17 2AF. Switchboard: Tel: 020 8394 8300 or by email admin@samaritans.org 6
Facts about Samaritans History and Development Samaritans took its first call on 2 nd November 1953. The original phone number for Samaritans was MAN 9000. Samaritans telephone helpline was started by the late Prebendary Dr Chad Varah with one man, one phone, one room. Samaritans was the first 24 hour telephone helpline to be set up in the UK and has helped many of the other helplines that exist today through its experience. The data we hold centrally shows that since 1984 Samaritans has received over 70 million contacts in which people felt able to speak, type or write. Samaritans was the first organisation in the world to develop a 24/7 SMS text-messaging emotional support service. Samaritans Today Every 6 seconds, someone makes contact with Samaritans. 1 Every 11 seconds, Samaritans receives a contact in which someone feels able to speak, type or write about their feelings. 1 Every 52 seconds, Samaritans receives a contact from someone who has suicidal feelings. 1 The Calling Plan for our OneNumber, 0845 7 909090, is the largest in the UK in its complexity The biggest branch is Central London Samaritans, which currently has 495 volunteers. It is also the oldest branch. The smallest branch is Orkney, which has 14 volunteers in total. The ratio of volunteers to paid staff across the organisation is 205:1.The national average ratio amongst other charities is estimated at 24:1. Our email emotional support service started in 1994 and currently there are 198 Samaritans branches providing the service via email (at the end of 2011). Our SMS emotional support service started in 2006 and currently there are 100 Samaritans branches providing the service via SMS (at the end of 2011). Samaritans branches are across the UK and Republic of Ireland, from Truro in the south west of England to Caithness in the north of Scotland, and from Lowestoft in the east of England to Tralee in the west of Ireland. In addition, there are branches on the Western Isles, the Isle of Man, Orkney, Shetland, Isle of Wight, Guernsey and Jersey. Festival branch in England and Irish Festival Group ensure that even if you are in a muddy field in the middle of nowhere and your mobile is not working, Samaritans unique listening and emotional support service is available. In 2011, 648 volunteers in 123 Samaritans branches in the UK and ROI provided support to 157 prison establishments. Listener statistics reveal that approximately 1,774 Listeners were 1 Average number applied across all branches 7
trained in 144 prisons with Listener schemes in the UK and ROI. The Listeners responded to approximately 87,726 contacts. In 2011, around 619,721 people attended events where branches were present to raise awareness of Samaritans. Since 2003 Samaritans Workplace Training has upskilled over 7,000 (1,304 in 2011) people from voluntary, public and private sector organisations across the UK as a way to generate funds for Samaritans. We train and support staff in external organisations in skills to handle emotionally challenging situations effectively, sensitively and professionally. In 2011 we established a partnership with the Fundraising Standards Board and Shop Direct Group Financial Services became our second Samaritans Academy member in addition to founding member Philips & Cohen Associates (UK) Ltd 8
Samaritans Headline Statistics 2011 Number of Contacts 9 In 2011 Samaritans received 5,020,006 contacts (including snaps), by phone, email, text, letter, minicom, Typetalk, face-to-face at a branch, and at local and national festivals and other events. 47.4% of all telephone contacts were snap contacts; these totalled 2,151,107 contacts. In 2011 Samaritans volunteers provided support in 2,868,899 dialogue contacts. Means of Contact 83% (2,384,710) of dialogue contacts were made by phone. 7.2% (206,078) responses were made to contacts by email. 7.8% (225,152) responses were made to contacts by SMS. (1%) 27,839 face-to-face contacts were made in branches. (0.8%) 23,548 face-to-face contacts were made outside branches at festivals and other events. 1,414 letters were replied to. 149 minicom contacts; 9 Typetalk contacts. Who Contacts Samaritans receives very similar proportions of contacts from men (1,277,383: 44.5%) and from women (1,423,135: 49.6%). 5.9% (168,381) of contacts were unidentified. By email and SMS, greater proportions of contacts are received from women than from men. By email, 53.8% of contacts were received from women (110,808), and 19.6% were received from men (40,494) but 26.6% (54,776) of contacts were unidentified. By SMS, 81.4% of contacts were received from women (183,282), and 6.5% of contacts (14,612) were received from men, but 12.1% (27,258) were unidentified. Suicidal Contacts In 21.1% (607,191) of all dialogue contacts to Samaritans, the caller expressed suicidal feelings at the time of the contact. In 42.3% (87,150) of email contacts to Samaritans, the caller expressed suicidal feelings at the time of the contact. In 52.7% (118,555) of SMS contacts to Samaritans, the caller expressed suicidal feelings at the time of the contact. Samaritans Volunteers At the end of 2011 there were a total of 20,665 volunteers including 15,516 active listening volunteers, 1,853 temporarily inactive listening volunteers, 1,596 support and shop volunteers (including 467 shop volunteers) and 1,700 Listeners. The majority of volunteers were women (68.7% of listening volunteers and 68% of support volunteers). There is an average of 86 listening volunteers (77 active and 9 inactive) in each of the 202 branches in the UK and Ireland and Irish Festival Group. There is an average of 8 support and shop volunteers in each of the 202 branches in the UK and Ireland and Irish Festival Group. 2,060 volunteers were involved in outreach and public awareness work in 2011, including 648 branch volunteers supporting the Listener scheme in prisons. There were 35,248 enquiries from potential volunteers in 2011, including 34,845 people interested in becoming listening volunteers and 403 people interested in becoming support volunteers.
There were 10,253 applications to join Samaritans in 2011 (10,084 listening volunteers and 169 support volunteers), from which 5,666 people were selected for Samaritans training (5,548 as listening volunteers and 118 as support volunteers). 3,960 new volunteers completed their training in 2011, including 3,834 listening volunteers and 126 support volunteers. 3,577 volunteers left in 2011, including 1,679 full listening volunteers, 686 probationer listening volunteers, 69 full support volunteers and 20 probationer support volunteers. Samaritans Branches There are 202 Samaritans branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man including Festival Branch in Britain and Correspondence Branch. Irish Festival Group also provides support at festivals and other events in Ireland. 10
Section 1: Samaritans contacts Contacts An overview There were 5,020,006 contacts received in 2011, including 2,868,899 dialogue contacts and 2,151,107 snap calls. On average 24,851 contacts per branch (including snap calls), were handled by Samaritans in 2011. In response to callers, Samaritans sent 206,078 emails in 2011. This amounts to 7.2% of total dialogue contacts. In response to callers, Samaritans sent 225,152 SMS messages in 2011. This amounts to 7.8% of total dialogue contacts. 1,414 contacts by letter were responded to last year. 51,387 (1.8% of total dialogue contacts) face-to-face contacts took place in 2011, including 27,839 (1% of total dialogue contacts) in Samaritans branches and 23,548 (0.8% of total dialogue contacts) by volunteers providing our service at festivals and events. There were 149 minicom contacts and 9 Typetalk contacts. 11
In 2011, Samaritans provided support by telephone, face-to-face, email, SMS, letter and minicom in 2,868,899 dialogue contacts. This is an increase of 147,929 dialogue contacts compared with 2010. Table 1: Number of Dialogue Contacts 1986-2011 12
Since 1994, the number of snap calls has steadily increased from 1,225,770 in 1994 to 2,151,107 in 2011 (Graph 2). However, 2011 saw a reduction of 85,552 snap calls compared with 2010, and 2010 saw a reduction of 141,439 snap calls compared with 2009. Snap calls accounted for 47.4% of telephone contacts in 2011. Table 2: Number of Snap Calls 1994-2011 13
Graph 3 shows that the number of dialogue contacts has remained relatively constant since 1994, with moderate increases and declines in numbers. However, in comparison, the number of snap calls increased each year until 2008 which saw a decline for the first time since records on snap calls began in 1992; this number continues to decline for the fourth year in 2011. 14
The majority of contacts in 2011 were by telephone (83.1%), followed by SMS (7.8%) and email (7.2%). For a breakdown of contact type, see Graph 4. Since 1994, the way callers contact Samaritans has changed. There have been slight increases and decreases in telephone contacts, compared to a dramatic increase in email contacts. Also, face-to-face and letters have experienced significant declines. In addition to the contacts shown above, 149 contacts were received via minicom and 9 contacts were received via Typetalk in 2011. These figures are in Table 3. Table 3: Dialogue Contacts by Method 1994-2011 15
Graphs 5-8 show how the number of telephone, email, letter and face-to-face contacts have increased or decreased between 1994 and 2011. 16
17
Nature of Contact: Feelings Expressed by Callers Samaritans Nature of Contact scale shows the proportion of dialogue contacts where callers are suicidal, distressed and making inappropriate use of the service. Table 4 summarises the definitions of the categories and percentages for each year between 2007-2011. Table 4: Nature of Contact 2007-2011 Percentage of calls from that category 18
The nature of contact for the majority of callers is distressed, including 55.7% of all dialogue contacts, 46.6% of email contacts and 41% of SMS contacts (Table 5, Graphs 9 and 10). Significantly, for callers using the email and SMS services, the nature of contact categories 1-3 (i.e. feeling suicidal, had a suicide plan, or suicide attempt in progress) are applied to a significantly higher proportion of contacts (42.4% of email and 52.7% of SMS contacts) than across all dialogue contacts (21.1%). Table 5: Nature of All Dialogue, Email and SMS Contacts 2011 19
20
For each year between 1994-2008, the number of dialogue contacts from male callers was slightly higher than for female callers, being approximately 48.5% compared to 47.7% respectively. From 2009 however, there have been slightly more contacts from female callers than male callers. In 2011, 49.6%, of contacts were from females compared to 44.5% from male callers. 5.9% of contacts were from callers of unknown gender. These figures can be seen in Graph 11 and Table 6. Table 6: All Dialogue Contacts by Contact Gender 1992-2011 In contrast with all dialogue contacts together (see Graph 11 and Table 6 above), for email only and for SMS only, greater proportions of contacts are received from women than from men. In 2011, 53.8% of email contacts were received from women (110,808), and 19.6% were received from men (40,494). However, 26.6% (54,776) of email contacts were unidentified by gender. In 2011, 81.4% of SMS contacts were received from women (183,282), and 6.5% of contacts (14,612) were received from men. However, 12.1% (27,258) were unidentified by gender. Table 7 and Graph 12 below show these figures. Table 7: Email and SMS Contacts by Contact Gender 2011 21
2011 is only the fourth year in which data has been collected about outreach and public awareness activities carried out by branches. Due to various issues, some branches were not able to provide accurate data this year and therefore it is likely that the actual level of outreach and public awareness activity was higher than reported. In 2011, 2,060 volunteers were involved in outreach and public awareness work including 648 volunteers supporting the Listener scheme in prisons. It has been reported that around 619,721 people attended at least 6,076 events: this is approximately 3083 people and over 30 events per branch. Education services are the setting for a large proportion of outreach work, with at least 78,511 at events, including 50,914 secondary school pupils. The number of events within statutory services significantly increased from 528 in 2010 to 2,731 in 2011. Table 8 and Graphs 13 and 14 give details about outreach events and number of people who attended in 2011. 22
23 Table 8: Outreach and Public Awareness 2011
Section 2: Samaritans branches and volunteers In 2011, each branch on average responded to 14,202 dialogue contacts, an increase of 732 per branch compared to 2010 figures, and an increase of 3045 compared to 1986 figures (Graph 15 and Table 9) Table 9: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Branch 1986-2011 24
In 2011 there were 15,516 active listening volunteers, an increase of 96 since 2010. The number of active volunteers peaked in 1993 at 20,902, with 2007 having the lowest figures (Table 10). Table 10: Number of Active Listening Volunteers 1986-2011 25
The number of new listening volunteers completing their training in 2011 was 3,834. This is a slight increase from 2010 (Table 11). In addition, 126 new support volunteers completed their training in 2011. Graph 17 shows the number of new listening volunteers between 1986-2011. Table 11: Number of New Listening Volunteers 1986-2011 26
The majority of Samaritans listening volunteers in 2011 were aged 41-60 years (24.7%), followed by 18.2% aged 61-74 years, and 13.9% aged 25-40 years. 42.9% of Samaritans volunteers were therefore aged between 41-74 years. Only 3.5% of Samaritans listening volunteers were aged 18-24 years, 2.6% were aged 75-84, with 0.3% being 85 years or above. However, it is important to note that the age of 36.9% of listening volunteers is unknown (see Table 12). The majority of listening volunteers in 2011 were female (68.7%) compared to 31.3% males (see Graph 22). Table 12: Number of Listening Volunteers by Age and Gender 2011 27
17.9% of Samaritans support volunteers in 2011 were aged 61-74 years, followed by 16.4% aged 41-60 years, and 6.6% aged 25-40 years. Only 3.3% of Samaritans support volunteers were aged 75-84, 1.6% were aged 18-24 years and 0.6% being 85 years or above. However, it is important to note that the age of 53.4% of support volunteers is unknown (see Table 13). The majority of support volunteers in 2011 were female (68%) compared to 32% males (see Graph 23). Table 13: Number of Support Volunteers by Age and Gender 2011 28
29
30
The number of dialogue contacts has steadily increased since 1986 from 2,153,247 to 2,868,899 (Graph 24). In comparison however, the number of active listening volunteers has declined from 19,036 in 1986 to 15,156 in 2011. For more detailed data on dialogue contacts see Table 1, and for data on active volunteers see Table 10. 31
The number of average contacts per active listening volunteer has increased from 152 in 1996 to 185 in 2011 (Table 14). Between 1996 and 2007, each volunteer was providing more support to callers each year as volunteer numbers decreased and numbers of dialogue contacts increased. In 2008 and 2009, there was a slight reduction in dialogue contacts and a slight increase in listening volunteers, and therefore each volunteer was providing support in fewer contacts than in 2008. In 2011 the number of active listening volunteers has stayed similar, but the number of dialogue contacts increased significantly giving an increase to the average of dialogue contacts per active listening volunteer (Graph 25). Table 14: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Active Listening Volunteer 1996-2011 32
There were a total of 1,596 support and shop volunteers at the end of 2011. The totals for each role exceed the total volunteer numbers because each support volunteer may carry out more than one role. Many listening volunteers also carry out support roles and are not included in these figures. See p.5 for definitions of the different volunteering roles with Samaritans. Table 15: Support and Shop Volunteer Roles 2011 33
Section 3: Samaritans in the UK and Republic of Ireland An overview 199 brick branches, and also 1 Correspondence Branch, 1 Festival Branch and Irish Festival Group 15,516 active listening volunteers, 1,853 inactive listening volunteers (17,369 total listening) 1,596 support and shop volunteers 2,868,899 dialogue contacts See Graph 27 and Table 16 for more data on number of branches, active and inactive listening volunteers and dialogue contacts in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Table 16: Number of Branches, Active Listening Volunteers, and Dialogue Contacts UK & ROI 2011 34
In 2011, each active volunteer on average provided support for between 123 dialogue contacts (Northern Ireland) and 195 dialogue contacts (England). This data is shown in Graph 28 and Table 17. However, it is important to recognise that the average number of contacts per active volunteer is affected by a number of variables, including contact distribution via the telephone system, the number of branches and volunteers providing support by email and SMS and the overall volume of contacts originating from each nation. Table 17: Average Number of Dialogue Contacts per Active Listening Volunteer UK & ROI 2011 35
For the UK and Republic of Ireland, the majority (55.7%) of dialogue contacts were distressed (category 0). 20.8% of dialogue contacts involved services being used inappropriately (category -1 to -3) (Graph 29). For more information on the nature of contact categories, please see Tables 4 and 18. Table 18: Nature of Contact UK & ROI 2011 36
In 2011, there were more contacts from females than males in the UK and ROI (Graph 30). However, these figures need to be treated with caution as the gender of callers in 168,381 contacts was not recorded (Table 19). Table 19: Dialogue Contact Gender UK & Republic of Ireland 2011 37
Graphs 31-35 show the number of dialogue contacts for each country in the UK and the Republic of Ireland between 1986 and 2011. 38
39
40
Branches undertook outreach 2 at 6,076 events in 2011. In England, Scotland and Wales, the greatest proportion of events was for statutory services and the smallest proportion of events was for voluntary sector. In Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, the greatest proportion of events was for education services and the smallest proportion of events was for other outreach. Table 20: Number of Events with Outreach Activities UK and ROI 2011 2 Outreach includes a range of different activities by branches, from talks in schools to attendance at large public events. The figures for outreach include the total number of people in attendance at events. Outreach does not include the provision of emotional support, which is recorded in the category face-to-face outside the branch. 41
At least 619,721 people attended events at which branches undertook outreach and awareness-raising activities in 2011. Table 21: Number of People at Events with Outreach Activities UK and ROI 2011 42
Section 4: Samaritans Publications Available for download via our website : http://www.samaritans.org Annual report and accounts: http://www.samaritans.org/media_centre/annual_report.aspx Press Releases: A range of up to date information for media can be found on Samaritans web site, including press releases about Samaritans campaigns and activity, locally and nationally, and information about suicide, self harm and emotional health. http://www.samaritans.org/media_centre/latest_press_releases.aspx Samaritans Strategy 2009-2015: Taking the lead to reduce suicide Samaritans plan until 2015, focusing our efforts on reducing the risk of suicide. http://www.samaritans.org/about_samaritans/governance_and_history/samaritans_strategy_2009_- _201.aspx Samaritans research Research by and about Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org/about_samaritans/samaritans_research.aspx Suicide Statistics (released January 2012) Detailed suicide statistics for the UK and Republic of Ireland and each of the constituent nations. Includes numbers of suicides registered and suicide rates by sex and age groups. http://www.samaritans.org/about_samaritans/samaritans_research/facts_and_figures/facts_about_suici de.aspx Samaritans Media Guidelines A valuable resource for those in the media who have any involvement with the reporting or portrayal of suicide and represent an important source of information to help ensure that the quality of reporting and portrayal on this important and sensitive topic is of a high standard. http://www.samaritans.org/media_centre/media_guidelines.aspx Reducing suicides at railway stations A booklet produced in conjunction with the Rail Safety and Standards Board, designed for Train Operating Companies who want to reduce suicides at stations. The measures suggested are also applicable to any suicide 'hotspot'. http://www.samaritans.org/about_samaritans/facts_and_figures/reducing_suicide_railways.aspx 43
Section 5: Further Information Factsheets and Information MIND Tel: 020 8519 2122 Mind Info-Line: 0845 766 0163 Website: http://www.mind.org.uk ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ Research Groups CENTRE FOR SUICIDE RESEARCH Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford Tel: 01865 226258 Website: http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/ STIRLING SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR RESEARCH GROUP Department of Psychology, University of Stirling Website: http://www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/research/chbc/stirling-suicidal-behaviour-researchgroup CENTRE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Psychiatry Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Manchester Website: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/mentalhealth/research/suicide/prevention / MULTICENTRE STUDY OF SELF-HARM IN ENGLAND A programme of research on the epidemiology, causes, clinical management, outcome and prevention of self-harm. Tel: 020 7827 8300 Website: http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/mcm/index.html NATIONAL SUICIDE RESEARCH FOUNDATION IRELAND A multi-disciplinary team drawing on epidemiology, psychology, psychiatry and biostatistics. Website: http://www.nsrf.ie/ CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH Carries out research, policy work and analysis to improve practice and influence policy in mental health as well as public services. Tel: 020 7827 8300 Website: http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/index.aspx 44
National Statistics Agencies Statistical data are collated and published by the statistical agency for each nation. In addition, the Office for National Statistics/UK Statistics Authority publishes some UK-wide data. CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Phone (Dublin): 01-35321 453 4000 Phone (Cork): 01 35321 4535000 LoCall (Both Offices) :1890 313414 Email: information@cso.ie Website: http://www.cso.ie Suicide data: http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/birthsdeathsandmarriages/ NATIONAL RECORDS OF SCOTLAND (NRS) Tel: 0131 334 0380 Website: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk Suicide data: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/deaths/suicides/ OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS (ENGLAND AND WALES) Tel: 0845 601 3034 Tel (Welsh): 01633 813381 Email: info@statistics.gov.uk Website: www.statistics.gov.uk Suicide data: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health4/suicides-in-the-unitedkingdom/index.html NORTHERN IRELAND RESEARCH AND STATISTICS AGENCY (NISRA) Telephone: (028) 9034 8100 Email: info@dfpni.gov.uk Website: http://www.nisra.gov.uk Suicide data: http://www.nisra.gov.uk/demography/default.asp31.htm Suicide Reduction Strategies and Policy CHOOSE LIFE (SCOTLAND) Targeted to reduce the rate of people committing suicide in Scotland by 20 % by 2013. Choose Life sets out a framework to ensure that action is taken nationally and locally to build skills, develop training, encourage people to seek help early, improve knowledge and awareness of what works to prevent suicide, and to encourage partnership working and improved coordination between services. Website: http://www.chooselife.net TALK TO ME (WALES) This National Action Plan to Reduce Suicide and Self-Harm in Wales 2008-2013 was published in 2008. The Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for providing the leadership and focus to support national and local action to implement this plan. Website: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/talktome/?lang=en 45
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ENGLAND The Department of Health consulted on a new suicide prevention strategy for England in 2011. https://dh.gov.uk/en/healthcare/mentalhealth/suicide/index.htm PROTECT LIFE A SHARED VISION (NORTHERN IRELAND) Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2006-2011. Website: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/phnisuicidepreventionstrategy_action_plan-3.pdf REACH OUT (REPUBLIC OF IRELAND) Published in 2005, the National Strategy on Action for Suicide Prevention in the Republic of Ireland. Website: http://www.sirl.ie/other/repository_docs/77.pdf IRISH ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY Founded in 1996 to facilitate communication between those working to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviour, raise awareness of these problems, and to support and encourage relevant research. Website: http://www.ias.ie/ CENTRES FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION Part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC creates expertise, information, and tools for health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats. http://www.cdc.gov/features/preventingsuicide/ INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Website: http://www.iasp.info/ WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Website: http://www.who.int/topics/suicide/en/ EUROPEAN UNION SUICIDE PREVENTION Website: http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/health_problems/mental_health/index_en.htm 46
Whatever you re going through, we re here to help 24 hours a day. We won t share what you tell us with anyone else, and we won t judge you. 08457 90 90 90* (UK) 1850 60 90 90* (ROI) 8 jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org * Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA Or meet us in person find your nearest branch on our website. Samaritans, Incorporated in England and Wales, a Company limited by guarantee Registered Number 757372, and a Registered Charity Number 219432, having its Registered Office at The Upper Mill, Kingston Road, Ewell Surrey, KT17 2AF, and a Charity in Scotland Registered Number SC040604. * Please see our website for latest call charges