Martin Walsh, Deputy General Secretary (Postal) has issued a Health & Safety Letter to Branches, within the Postal Constituency in support of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day.

Partly written by the CWU North West Mental Health Support Network's Jamie McGrath and Ady Prins, LTB 299/24 contains several documents/posters which can be used by Branches highighting support services and methods that can be used to support someone with accute mental health issues and hopefully prevent their suicide. They are available from the Unionsafety E-Library or by clicking on the pic below and the document linaks at the end of this news item.

LTB299/24 reminds Branches that:

The CWU has a long tradition of supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing.  Suicide is a major public health challenge with more than 700,000 deaths each year globally.  Each suicide has far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences and deeply affects individuals and communities worldwide.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with an associated call to action of ‘Start the Conversation’.

Within the North West, CWU Mental Health First Aid instructors Jamie McGovern and Mark Holt have been busy for the last 2 years training CWU members/Representatives in Mental Health First Aid on the 2-day MHFA England training course.

As Martin Walsh's LTB states:

The CWU are continually striving to be a ‘suicide safer’ organisation.  Part of that process includes the continued training up of accredited MHFAiders and advanced MHFAiders to ensure that conversations can take place at any given time in workplaces where we have representation.

From April 2024 All newly trained CWU MHFAiders will now be encouraged to join the Association of Mental Health First Aiders, which is England’s first and only membership body for Mental Health First Aiders, where collaboration, connection and sharing of best practice can take place with like-minded individuals. https://www.aomhfa.org/

We are pleased to report that we have now trained over 500 CWU members in the MHFA England 2-day course.  We will continue to look at how we educate on suicide prevention whilst also developing/enhancing our postvention strategy.

It remains hugely important that as an active Trade Union we understand the important factors affecting mental ill health by being ready to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions.
• Provide immediate Mental Health First Aid to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis.
• Listen non-judgmentally and hold supportive conversations.
• Signpost people to professional help.

Attached to the LTB are a number of supporting materials and we would ask Branches to ensure that all Representatives and Members are made aware of the support and organisations that are available.

Please remember talking about feelings doesn’t have to be scary.

Attachment 1 – st_john_ambulance_mhfaider_poster

Attachment 2 – suicide-safer-language-9

Attachment 3 – listening-tips-poster

Attachment 4 – self-harm-conversation-tips

Attachment 5 – mental-health-and-suicide-conversation-tips

Attachment 6 – POSTVENTION PLANNING- WHY WE NEED IT AND WHAT IT IS…

You can download the above documents, and more on mental health from the Unionsafety E-Library