Decision details

The Board received an update in respect of the Cheshire East Suicide Action Plan which had been developed following the publication of the Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Strategy in November 2022.

The plan was underpinned by workshops held to engage with partner and community representatives and further engagement was used to influence the local priorities in the 2-year plan.

The Board agreed that it was a good example of partnership working and were supportive of it being a living document.

Although there had been training carried out around suicide prevention with primary and secondary schools the Board felt that more emphasis was required on getting more education into schools and young people, especially around social media and the internet. The recommissioning of the Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service which had just been approved by the Children & Families and Adults and Health Committees would help support that.

Members were encouraged to partake in the free online appropriate suicide prevention training which was available across Cheshire and Merseyside, and to encourage other people to partake in it as it was agreed that the best form of support came from communities.

RESOLVED: (unanimously)

That the Health and Wellbeing Board approve the Cheshire East Self Harm and Suicide Prevention Action Plan.