People suffering suicidal thoughts offered new path to immediate support
People suffering suicidal thoughts are being offered a new path to immediate support when they’re in crisis as part of a pilot in west London.
Psychiatrists are working side by side with experts from the mental health charity Mind in A&E to identify those in need and then divert them to one of three Safe Spaces in Hounslow, Hammersmith and Ealing.
The Safe Spaces provide a safe and more appropriate alternative to A&E departments for anyone over the age of 18 who are in or near mental health crisis. Trained staff are available to provide support and advice.
Liaison psychiatrist Dr Michael Yousif has been taking part in the trial since it began in January, and says that while A&E is the right place to come initially, individuals then have a route to crisis support in the community.
“There are some people who present in a crisis with a very real imminent risk of them hurting themselves or even killing themselves. But mental health services aren’t the right thing for them because it’s not necessarily part of an illness and there’s a risk of over medicalising their needs,” he said.
“Whilst you are in the midst of that crisis, being in A&E for hours and hours may actually exacerbate your levels of distress.
“What needs to happen for people in that situation is they need immediate help tailored to what they need in a much calmer setting.”
Liaison psychiatrist Dr Michael Yousif
In December 2019, Susie Heyes, who is 52, took an overdose of medication. Over the following year she made two further suicide attempts.
“I just couldn’t cope with life anymore. My instinct was this has to stop,” she said.
“At the time I thought everyone was better off without me. I wasn’t thinking about the damage I was causing my family.”
A year ago, she began receiving support from the Safe Space in Ealing.
“Safe Space was invaluable. It was literally what the name says – it was a safe space – so much better than going to A&E, so much calmer. And there would always be something to do if I needed to just sit there and chill.”
Susie describes art as “the cornerstone” of her recovery and now volunteers at Safe Space, running an art workshop for others needing support.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed there were 5,583 suicides in England and Wales last year.
The majority of the those dying from suicide continue to be men – 74% in total.
But there’s a worrying increase in suicide among women aged 24 and under… up 57% since records began in 1981.
Keeley Tickner, service manager of Safe Space, has noticed more young women coming to them for support.
“There’s obviously the cost of living crisis. If you’re starting a new job or you’re going to university, you’ve got a new friendship group. I think there’s a lot going on in the world at the moment. It’s really difficult for everybody.”
Keeley Tickner, service manager of Safe Space
She described the mental health crisis faced by so many across the country as “massive”.
“The NHS are brilliant and they’ve got a great mental health team and system but having that extra kind of support from charities like us is really important.
“We unpick the crises, the triggers, and then we’ll put a robust plan in place. We can relieve the burden on the NHS.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Tasers can be used in prisons for the first time to tackle “unacceptably high” levels of violence, as part of a new trial.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she is “determined to keep prison staff safe”.
Specialist officers from two bases in Oxfordshire and Doncaster can now be deployed to incidents in adult male prisons in England and Wales, equipped with Tasers.
In a demonstration hostage situation, officers used pyrotechnics to distract an aggressive inmate
Officers tackled an aggressive ‘inmate’ after he was distracted by pyrotechnics in the demonstration
Reporters attending a demonstration were shown how they could be used in certain scenarios, where there is a threat to safety, including hostage situations or riots, and where multiple people are involved in “mass disorder”.
One demonstration involved four prisoners who had become disruptive in the exercise yard.
After staff were forced to withdraw, three inmates turned on one and it was deemed there was an “immediate threat to life.”
Officers gave verbal warnings before deploying the Tasers at a distance.
This trial will use the Taser 7 model, which is what police officers currently use.
It can generate 50,000 volts when triggered, but drops to about 1,500 volts when hitting the target.
In a separate hostage situation, officers used pyrotechnics which produced loud bangs and smoke to distract an aggressive “inmate” before putting them in handcuffs.
An ‘inmate’ is tackled by a security officer during a simulation
At first, specialist national officers from the two bases can be deployed if such incidents occur.
It’s understood at the moment these teams get 800 callouts a year – averaging just over two a day.
The trial will run until enough data is collected to determine whether Tasers should be rolled out more widely.
Ms Mahmood said she intends to have further updates in the autumn and will “consider” whether local staff inside jails can use them.
“From my perspective, this is very much the beginning,” she said.
Violence in prisons has been rising. In the 12 months to December there were 10,605 assaults on staff, a rise of 13% on the year before and a new peak. Serious assaults were also up 10% on the previous 12 months.
A security officer demonstrates the Taser in use
Earlier this year, Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi attacked prison staff at the high-security jail HMP Frankland, using hot cooking oil and homemade, or improvised, weapons.
The justice secretary said the incident at Frankland “forced the pace” of further measures to tackle violence.
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana also allegedly attacked a member of staff at HMP Belmarsh by pouring hot water over them from inside his cell.
The Prison Officers Association (POA) union urged ministers to consider protective equipment and stab vests for staff.
Read more:
Tories call for Tasers to be used in prisons
‘Bleak’ prison in special measures
Last month, the government announced the use of body armour at certain units in high-security jails, which house some of the most dangerous inmates.
But while “grateful” for a “step in the right direction”, the POA don’t think the new measure goes far enough – and instead want specialist staff inside jails trained to use Tasers.
“It is pointless a national response being several hours away if, locally, Taser is needed to immediately preserve life and combat threat,” Mark Fairhurst, the POA’s national chairman said.
Whitehall wants to consider the “lessons” from this trial before any potential further rollout.
Ms Mahmood pointed out that while Tasers have been used for many years by the police, “a custodial setting is different to usage in other scenarios”.
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