The Mental Health Partnership Network (MHPN), Sheffield Autism Partnership Network (SAPN), Sheffield City Council (SCC) and Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) are working together to deliver a new pilot project for Suicide Prevention training and staff support. This joint approach has allowed SCC to move funding for suicide prevention initiatives to the voluntary sector (via VAS), while the MHPN and SAPN work together to make sure that funding is meeting the needs and priorities of our VCSE partners. 

According to a research paper published in 2022 by Autistica, Autistic people without a learning disability are 9x more likely to die by suicide and it is the second leading cause of death in Autistic adults. Despite making up only around 1% of the population, 15% of people hospitalised after a suicide attempt, and 11% of people who take their own lives, have a diagnosis of Autism – this number is likely to be far higher when accounting for the lower rates of diagnosis in some groups. Over 66% of Autistic adults have considered suicide, and Autistic children are 28x more likely to consider suicide than their neurotypical peers. 

After extensive consultation with individuals and VCSE organisations, it was found that the biggest need for the sector was access to appropriate and in-depth training around suicide prevention, especially for current high-risk groups: children and young people (CYP), and Autistic people. We worked with individuals and organisations to develop a pilot programme whereby organisations can nominate a member of staff to attend free Suicide Prevention training and be part of an ongoing support network. 

As part of this cohort, selected front-line VCSE staff will be given fully-funded training on suicide prevention and awareness for both Autistic people and children and young people, delivered by Autism Oxford and PAPYRUS. By completing both training courses, the staff member will become a Suicide Prevention Champion for their organisation, with the ability to better address suicidal thoughts, feelings and intentions with people who come to their organisation for support.

They’ll also be part of a network of people working in similar roles who have also taken these training packages, facilitated by a mental health professional, to give them space to talk about their experiences with implementing the training into their work and work through any challenges. This is particularly important to help mitigate any vicarious trauma or mental health impacts that this work has on front-line staff, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.