The first steps towards a suicide prevention model for ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ฌ in Pakistan were taken recently when 30 participants received online training to spot the signs in someone who is thinking of suicide and have a conversation that could help save their life.
Olly’s Future delivered online Part One of its unique Dr SAMS programme, namely ‘Talking about Suicide:10 Tools’. The 90 minute session has been rolled out to nine medical schools across the UK, with British Medical Association support, for the past five years. Among the ten tools taught are those concerning the use of healthy language around suicide to dispel shame and guilt. Start the Conversation: Suicide Prevention Education
Suicide was officially decriminalised in Pakistan in December 2022.
The pilot is a joint venture between Olly’s Future, CareIf international mental health charity and Professor Afzal Javed OBE, Chair of the Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore, (Pictured centre, with staff) He is also Past President of the World Psychiatric Association. Fountain House PakistanCareif
Professor Javed said afterwards: “Let me thank you again for this excellent opportunity to learn and reflect on our practices. Well done to your team, reminding us about the basic skills that all mental health professionals should learn.”
Professor Rachel Tribe, Chair of CareIf, said: “We are delighted to partner with Olly’s Future and Fountain House, Lahore, to bring this important training to Pakistan.”
Ann Feloy, founder of Olly’s Future in memory of her son, said: We are at the early stages of bringing this vital training to Pakistan and securing funding will be key. Our organisations are united in working together on a shared vision to equip healthcare professionals with suicide prevention skills. This will inevitably impact the rest of society in breaking down fears and stigma surrounding suicide.”
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