Liverpool charity urges suicidal men to reach out for help as World Suicide Prevention Day approaches

LIVERPOOL charity James' Place has urged suicidal men to reach out to them for help as World Suicide Prevention Day approaches. The charity offers free, life saving treatment to men in suicidal crisis at centres in Liverpool and London. They have treated over 1,300 men in the North West, and 1,500 nationally since the 1st centre opened on:- Catharine Street, in Liverpool 5, years ago. The men that come to the centres are in a suicidal crisis largely driven by life events such as a relationship breakdown, financial problems or bereavement. Men can self refer or be referred by a professional including those working in health and community services, or by a friend or family member.

Andy Noon, Head of James' Place in Liverpool said:- "Anyone can experience a suicidal crisis at a tough point in their life. It can be very difficult to see how to get through it, but we know with the right help every suicide is preventable. We offer free, life saving therapy from trained professionals in a safe, friendly and non clinical environment. We really want to use World Suicide Prevention Day to let people know we are here and would urge any suicidal men in the Liverpool area, or their concerned family or friends, to get in touch with us."

Connor came to James' Place for help earlier this year after experiencing a suicidal crisis. He said:- "My therapist really helped me, she opened my eyes that the feelings I was having were normal and that a lot of other people go through the same thing. She helped me to understand that I was putting a lot of pressure on myself. I started to accept things rather than pretending everything was ok. Since I left James' Place I feel like a new person. I'm in a good place now and doing things which I know are good for my mental health like staying away from too much alcohol and focusing on my music. If I have a bad day I know what to do to get through it. I want to share my experiences in the hope they can help someone else because it really can happen to anyone and the person you least expect could be struggling. Men need to talk more. I'm so glad that I did."

Famous faces from sports and the arts including:- Documentarian Louis Theroux, UFC star Paddy Pimblett, TV personality Jamie Laing, Actor and Comedian Asim Chaudhry, Actor David Jonsson, Footballer Tom Davies, TV Presenter Matt Johnson and Married At 1st Sight's Thomas Hartley have joined forces to take part in a charity video to raise awareness for James' Place ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day. The video was made available to view on the James' Place website and social media channels since:- Thursday, 7 September 2023.

Visit:- JamesPlace.Org.UK for more information or to access support.

If you or someone you know is suicidal and needs immediate help you can access 24 hour support via the Samaritans on:- 116123, text:- 'SHOUT' to:- 85258, or seek help from your local A&E Department.

Landmark survey seeks women's views on experiences of reproductive health

WOMEN across England are being encouraged to help shape future reproductive health policy by sharing their experiences of a range of issues, as the Government launches a new landmark survey.

Delivering on a key commitment in the Women's Health Strategy, the Women's Reproductive Health Survey will seek women's views across England on issues including periods, contraception, fertility, pregnancy and the menopause.

Findings from the survey will then be used to better understand women's reproductive health experiences over time. The vital information gathered about the lives and experiences of women will inform current and future Government decision making and health policy.

There are currently disparities in women's health across the country, and far too many cases where women's voices are not being heard. Along with the strategy, the new survey will play a key part in changing this.

Minister for Women's Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said:- "Women and girls deserve the best healthcare at every stage of their lives, but we simply can't deliver that without listening to their lived experiences and concerns. Women should always have a say in their own healthcare, whether that's in managing pregnancy and fertility or dealing with the challenges of the menopause in the workplace. I would encourage every woman to complete the survey on reproductive health as soon as they're able and ensure their voice is heard."

Women's Health Ambassador, Professor Dame Lesley Regan:- "We need to make healthcare work for women and girls; and for it to fit around their lives. There's no point bolstering services if they can't be accessed, or the support available doesn't work for them and meet their needs. That's why we're asking women and girls to share their experience, whether it's about periods, menopause or endometriosis. We need your voice to shape a new system of healthcare that gives women what they need."

Dr Rebecca French, Associate Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said:- "For most women, it can be nearly 40 years from their 1st period to menopause. Throughout this time, women should be able to make informed decisions about their own reproductive health and wellbeing, such as if and when to get pregnant and where to access appropriate support and treatment. Women have previously described difficulties accessing reproductive health services, for example, to get contraceptive supplies, to access fertility treatment or to obtain an appointment with a gynaecologist. Often health services are not 'joined up', leading to multiple visits and appointment delays. We know that poor reproductive health not only has a negative effect on health in general but can also impact women's mental health, relationships and finances. Further research is needed to better understand inequalities across England so that women and people described as female at birth are able to make the choices they need for their own reproductive health and wellbeing. The Women's Reproductive Health Survey provides an opportunity to better understand what support is needed and how these issues can best be addressed."

The survey is open to all women in England aged:- 16 to 55 years and will run for 6 weeks, from:- Thursday, 7 September 2023.

It is being delivered by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Questions women are being asked to answer include:-

• How much pain they experience during their periods.
   

• How they prefer to access contraceptive services.
   

• How satisfied they were with any support they received for menopausal symptoms.

Just over a year on from the launch of the Women's Health Strategy, over 300,000 more women have accessed cheaper hormone replacement therapy, new women's health hubs are opening across the country in every integrated care board and a dedicated women's health area has been added to the NHS website.

Further measures being introduced include:-

• A new artificial intelligence tool to identify early risks in maternity units.
   

• £25 million will be distributed across England so every area can create a women's health hub.
   

• A new IVF tool on GOV.UK so people can look up information about NHS funded IVF treatments.
   

• A new network of women's health champions led by the Women's Health Ambassador for England, Professor Dame Lesley Regan.

A Menopause Employment Champion has also been appointed; recruitment and employability expert Helen Tomlinson; to improve support for menopause in the workplace. Helen is working with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to create an online repository of menopause resources for employers, on:- Gov.UK. The Menopause Taskforce met in June to discuss menopause in the workplace.

The Government has also awarded grant funding to charities across England to help employers make changes to their workplace to support women's reproductive health, which includes menopause.