Northbank BID’s Mental Health Discussion – Understanding Suicide

Welcome to the Northbank BID Mental Health – Understanding Suicide discussion.

Join us for a discussion on mental health and understanding some of the processes that underlie suicidal thoughts.

In 2018, 30 people drowned in the river, accounting for 8% of drowning-related deaths nationally. Over the year, there were 688 recorded cases of people threatening to enter the Thames to take their life. 105 people actually entered the water, triggering interventions by the emergency services.

Suicide is the most frequent cause of drowning in the River Thames, accounting for 90% of all deaths. Suicide related incidents account for approximately one half of the Search and Rescue (SAR) missions on the river.

Hear from those involved directly in the field as they present to you their story and answer questions in a Q&A session. Also, we will show a short film including the story of a man who wanted to take his life but was approached by a memebr of the public who was able to stop this.

 

Panellists:

Mark Towens, Harbour Master Upper, Port of London Authority and Chair of the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum

Yvonne Saunderson, NHS Police Liaison Officer, Marine Police Suicide Prevention Team

Mark Chafty, Mental Health Nurse, NHS Police Liaison Team

Neil Withers, Area Lifesaving Manager – South East (Area 11 London & Thames), RNLI

Emma Fraser, Senior Development Officer, Community Safety Policy and Projects, London Fire Brigade

John Warner, HM Coastguard

 

Agenda:

12:30 – 13:00 – Registration and Lunch

13:00 – 14:00 – Presentations and discussion

14:00 – 14:15 – Q & A

14:15 – 14:30 – Close and Networking

 

Aims:

• Promote Tidal Thames Water Safety
• Educate employees and residents within the Northbank area, including surrounding locations on mental health
• Raise awareness of suicides, particularly with the use of bridges
• Raise awareness of self-harm and accidental drownings on the Thames

 

The BID is offering this FREE of charge to make the Northbank a better place to be and work. We anticipate high volumes of interest for this workshop, register to avoid disappointment.

Email or call the BID office with any questions at gerald@thenorthbank.london or 0203 697 9277

Lunch will be provided.