Forward Forward

PAPYRUS
prevention of young suicide
Newsletter Autumn 2009 no.40
Forward
– Action and planning
in Wales and
England.
Also in this issue...
– New Partners
aim high to beat
the target – p8.
– Calendar Girls.
See fundraising
pages – p10/11.
Visit: www.papyrus-uk.org
Out &
Chair’s report
Dear Friends
Another AGM has come and
gone – this was our twelfth!
Many thanks to everyone
who came to Birmingham –
as always we very much
appreciated the efforts you
made to be with us.
This year Kerry Napuk and Phil
Pitchford stepped down as Trustees.
Kerry has had a long association with
PAPYRUS and has been an effective
ambassador for mental health and
suicide prevention in Scotland over a
long period of time. Phil’s expertise
in Human Resources and his
contribution to the development of
our helpline have been of huge
benefit to the charity. Many thanks to
both of them for their wise counsel.
A warm welcome to both
Maggie Candy, who joins us as a
co-opted Trustee, and to our new
Community Events Fundraiser,
Elizabeth Daglish, who joins the
team in Head Office.
I also want to mention Colin
Price. PAPYRUS is extremely
fortunate to have many people who
support us on a pro bono basis. Colin,
our website designer for many years,
is one of them, but his role has now
come to an end. Colin’s design has
been much applauded. With major
developments for our website in the
pipeline we therefore aim to keep its
clean, crisp look as we develop it further.
So to suicide prevention matters …In
a recent meeting of the All Party
Parliamentary Group on Suicide
Prevention (APPG) I was able to
convey directly to Phil Hope MP,
There is still time to
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Christmas greeting
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HOPELineUK and
brief description of
cards are sold in
contact details. The
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liz.daglish@papyru
2 PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009
Minister for Health and
Care Services, PAPYRUS’s
concerns with regard to
planning for suicide prevention in
England post 2010. (See New Horizons
page 4) Our view was supported by
many other organisations present. The
APPG (see page 9) provides a most
useful forum for the exchange of views
and information and the opportunity to
reach politicians directly or via the Chair
Madeline Moon MP who follows up
issues raised in these meetings with the
appropriate Minister.
Following a lengthy consultation
period Talk to Me, the Action Plan to
Reduce Suicide and
Self-Harm in Wales was
published on 2 November.
This brings Wales in line
with England, Scotland
and Northern Ireland,
whose national strategies
for suicide prevention have
been in place for some time.
As a Welsh person who has been
campaigning in Wales over many years
I am personally delighted to see that
the Welsh Assembly Government is
taking suicide prevention seriously.
‘Talk to Me’ is a great step forward.
Success will depend on effective
collaboration between all concerned
and adequate funding for
implementation. PAPYRUS looks
forward to being part of this process.
The Trustees and staff join
me in thanking you for your
continued support and wishing
you the very best over the
festive season.
Sincerely Anne Parry
Share a Card …
and help the
environment, too.
If you are concerned about purchasing
Christmas cards for each and every
colleague at work or college, why not put
the money to good use. PAPYRUS will
supply you with a quality Christmas card
which you can ask your friends and
colleagues to sign and then display in a
prominent position in your building. The
amount everyone would have spent on
cards can be donated and gift aided
to PAPYRUS and we shall send you a
certificate in celebration of the amount
you raised. To join in please contact Liz
Daglish Community Fundraiser on 01282
432555 or liz.daglish@papyrus-uk.org
about
IN Brief
It has been a diverse few weeks for
Trustee Angela Robinson
Angela represents PAPYRUS
on the Westminster Suicide Prevention
Strategy initiative. Here she provides
an update on the Action Plan
for 2009-2012.
This is now being implemented.
PAPYRUS is mentioned in the Suicide
Prevention Document and we are listed
as an attendee at the brainstorming
meeting. Before this I had met with
Chris Hume, the Suicide Prevention
Project Manager.
In the actual action plan it is stated
that PAPYRUS and HOPELineUK will be
promoted locally. Reference to
HOPELineUK will be included where it
is not currently, in signposting literature
and also reference will be included in
training and briefing for CAMHS tier 1
staff. It is to be ongoing and has a
named person from the Children’s
Services NHS Westminster with
responsibility for this.
HOPELineUK is also mentioned in
‘Interventions aimed at those who have
attempted suicide or have suicide
ideation’.
Dramatic
Interpretation of Suicide
!
Angela attended a Reading of
The Mass Suicide Club, a play by
Andy Pandini.
The rehearsed reading was presented as
part of the London Bridge Festival in
July 2009. At the end of the play the
audience was to have an opportunity to
comment and make suggestions.
Andy invited PAPYRUS to this
reading as he wanted feedback
from us.
The resume of the play was
as follows:
Six people meet each week
with one aim: to kill themselves.
Then Gabriel arrives, and the group
tell their stories. As he listens to the
club pour their hearts out he sees
the people behind the stories and
he can’t keep his mouth closed any
longer.
The play addressed the
complexity of suicide and the many
reasons we may find ourselves on
the road to nowhere. It is a story
about friendship, forgiveness, love
and hope and ultimately a death.
It is a sombre subject which
I felt was dealt with not only
sensitively and truthfully but also
with some humour.
The audience was very small
due to the size of the theatre and
appeared to number people with
an interest in script writing and
the further development of scripts
into a play.
Andy and the director Norman
Murray now hope to develop the
script into a one-act play.
PAPYRUS is frequently consulted
by playwrights, film and programme
makers on story lines around suicide.
doctors and staff at a GP practice
in London’s Islington.
Contents
PAPYRUS in the
Community
!
PAPYRUS Co-ordinator Tony Cox
has represented PAPYRUS at several
meetings. They include a ‘Help is at
Hand’ evaluation meeting in Derby
and a Longridge Parents in
Partnership meeting held at the
Longridge Secondary School. The
latter is a local group led by the
Police Family Unit. As well as
interested parents, several of the
teachers came to learn how
HOPELineUK could help them deal
with issues they come across daily.
Tony was also a speaker on
the work of HOPELineUK at the
Professionals’ Network Launch
for BME Communities: Blackburn
with Darwen. A showing of our
If Only …’ DVD, which aims
to help reduce
suicide in
South Asian
communities,
was complimented by
several of the
community
development
officers.
AGM 2009 – Presenting a
successful package.
4
New Horizons. DoH proposes
a youth mental health service.
4
Why self-harm?
– Exploring some of the
possible reasons.
6
Freshers’ week – Manchester
students sign up to the best
team, and get a free teabag!
7
Deeside College – Our new
partners hoping to raise the
target for fundraising.
8
Getting into Parliament –
without having to plot.
9
Liz Dalglish – fearless
community fundraiser joins us. 10
Deck the trees with
sponsored baubles...
11
Fill your bucket! A whole host
of seasonal fundraising ideas
to get you going.
12
Outreach
Awareness Raising
!
Angela and YoungPAPYRUS
co-ordinator Amy Llewellyn spoke
to student volunteers at a London
Nightline training weekend at
University College London to raise
awareness of PAPYRUS and
HOPELineUK. Nightline is a
student helpline service that listens,
provides emotional support and
information anonymously to
students.
Angela has also presented
PAPYRUS and HOPELineUK at a
Mental Health Promotion and
Suicide Prevention Meeting of
staff at Harperbury Hospital,
Hertfordshire and met with
Don’t forget
Recycle this newsletter. Pop it
next door when you have read it
or leave it at your dentist, doctor
or hairdresser … helping to
spread the word.
Action to
Prevent
Suicide in
North Wales
Anne and fellow speakers at the Colwyn
Bay Conference.
The Action to Prevent Suicide in
North Wales conference took
place in Colwyn Bay this
October, chaired by Anne Parry.
The conference was organised
by the North Wales Suicide
Prevention Stakeholders
Network with funding and
secretariat from Vale of
Clwyd MIND.
After an opening speech by Anne, Phil
Chick spoke about Implementing the
Suicide Prevention and Self Harm
Reduction Action Plan for Wales,
followed by Sofia Wadman on
the Welsh Youth Consultation on
attitudes to suicide.
Phil Chick, who has recently
transferred to the National Leadership
and Innovation Agency for Healthcare,
was formerly Director of Mental
Health within the Welsh Assembly
Government. He developed the Suicide
Prevention Action Plan for Wales under
the chairmanship of the Chief Medical
Officer, Dr Tony Jewell.
The 125 delegates were able to
choose from many workshops of topical
and clinical interest.
The conference was hugely
oversubscribed and the Network is
planning a similar event in the Spring of
2010. To register an interest contact
Carol Evans at ros@ruralnet.org.uk
PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009 3
AGM
UPDATE
Around 40
people attended this
year’s Annual General
Meeting which took place
on World Mental Health
Day on 10th October.
The AGM is the one time in the year
when Trustees, staff and members can
get together to renew acquaintance or to
meet each other face to face – perhaps
for the first time.
Our guest speaker,
Dr Tegwyn Williams,
(pictured) Clinical Director of
Mental Health Services, Abertawe
Bro Morgannwg University NHS
Trust, described how he and his
team – along with colleagues from a
diverse group of agencies – dealt
with the apparent increase in suicides
identified in his region.
He graphically described the reality of
living and working in Bridgend at the
time of the media explosion, the huge
intrusion into people’s lives and the fear
of further copy cat suicides.
Dr Williams also pointed out that
many of the inquests into the deaths of
young people in the area did not result
in a suicide verdict and that despite
speculation in the media there was
no evidence of anything untoward
connecting the young people that had
caused the deaths.
The AGM also provides an
opportunity to demonstrate some of the
work undertaken by the charity and to
this end Amy Llewellyn spoke about the
development of YoungPAPYRUS and
introduced two of her young recruits –
Omar and Jenny – each of whom
spoke eloquently about the emotional
well- being of young people.
Press Officer Rosemary Vaux gave a
flavour of our positive relationship with
the Press Complaints Commission by
highlighting some of our recent successes
in persuading some national newspapers
to adjust their online versions in line with
recommended media guidelines.
PAPYRUS Co-ordinator Tony Cox
gave an overview of the Hew Horizons
programme for Mental Health in England
(see opposite).
Trustees Martyn Piper and Anita
Sutcliffe gave delegates an update on
our campaign for greater safety on
4 PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009
Election of Officers
A G M
2 0 0 9
At the AGM Anne Parry, Chair,
Paul Kelly, Secretary and Mark
Heaton, Treasurer, were all re-elected.
TRUSTEES
Margaret Brunskill – Merseyside
Maggie Candy – Kent
Eustace de Souza – Manchester
Samina Hassan – London
Paul Kelly – Oxfordshire
Ken Lockett – Lancashire
Anne Parry – Flintshire
Martyn Piper – Wiltshire
Nicki Ray – Berkshire
Angela Robinson – London
Anita Sutcliffe – Lancashire.
the internet and our call for universal
limitations on the permitted amount of
paracetamol that can be bought in retail
outlets. Trustee Angela Robinson, who
represents PAPYRUS on the Suicide
Prevention Advisory Group chaired by
Professor Appleby, reported on the
group’s progress.
Amy Llewellyn (left) with YoungPAPYRUS
attendees Jenny and Omar.
“The reason I got involved with
YoungPAPYRUS was I have had
personal experience over the last
year of two friends attempting
suicide, and one friend’s brother
actually managing it. I don’t
pretend I can possibly know what
losing a family member to suicide
feels like firsthand, but I do know
a little of what grief can feel like,
having lost family members myself
from other causes. I’m also aware
of many student mental health
problems around me as I study,
and part of YoungPAPYRUS’s
mission is to promote good
student mental health at an early
stage, before problems become
extremely serious.”
Jenny
Our thanks to everyone who
contributed to a most interesting
and successful day.
From July to October 2009,
the Department of Health
held a public consultation,
called New Horizons in Mental
Health. This sets out the
Government’s strategy for
mental health in England for
the next 10 years and replaces
the National Service
Framework (NSF) which has
been in place since 1999.
A ten year programme for suicide prevention –
the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for
England – has been running in parallel with
the NSF and comes to an end in 2010. It is
unclear how New Horizons will dovetail into
any future suicide prevention policy on a
national scale.
PAPYRUS’s response to the
consultation document included
the following points:
As a charity dedicated to suicide prevention
we are disappointed that the New Horizons
programme does not include a specific suicide
prevention strategy. Suicide prevention has two
brief mentions in the consultation document.
Without the high profile the Government has
given to suicide prevention over the past 10
years PAPYRUS fears the emphasis on this
important subject will diminish.
We welcome the focus on prevention in
New Horizons. However, the allocation of
funding needs to be carefully balanced.
Finance directed to prevention should not
compromise treatment provision within
mental health services.
There is one, new and innovative
proposal in New Horizons, which PAPYRUS
wholeheartedly supports – the development of
a youth mental health service for 14-25 year
olds. The charity identified this need some
time ago. Many of our members have
reported difficulties in accessing appropriate
mental health services for their children. The
boundaries between Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Adult
Mental Health Services are often ill-defined
with subsequent transition between one
New Horizons
– but where is suicide
prevention?
and the other proving difficult. We await
further clarification on the proposed
new service.
PAPYRUS believes that a major injection
of new funding will be required in order to
achieve the vision outlined in New Horizons.
Comment from Professor Louis
Appleby, National Clinical Director
for Mental Health
For more than 18 months, the New
Horizons team and I have been meeting
with a wide range of people up and down
the country. We’ve been listening to their
hopes, ideas and aspirations for the future
of mental health in England from 2010.
A wide spectrum of views and a
huge number of good ideas have been
forthcoming from people who use mental
health services, from carers, commissioners,
clinicians and many more besides.
Combining this with growing evidence
about well-being and resilience, as well as
learning from the best services in the
country today, we have produced this
report as a basis for further consultation.
Already, a number of key themes
are emerging:
• prevention and public mental health
– recognising the need to prevent as
well as treat mental health problems
and promote mental health and
well-being
• stigma – strengthening our focus on
social inclusion and tackling stigma and
discrimination wherever they occur
• early intervention – expanding the
principle of early intervention to
improve long-term outcomes
Will power ...
For many of us making a will is never
an easy subject, but it can become
less difficult when we know we are
leaving a legacy that will benefit
others. Family and friends, of course,
and if possible ensuring the ripple of
our lives reaches further afield.
Bequests to charities are exempt
• personalised care – ensuring that
care is based on individuals’ needs
and wishes, leading to recovery
• multi-agency commissioning/
collaboration – working to achieve a
joint approach between local
authorities, the NHS and others,
mirrored by cross-government
collaboration
• innovation – seeking out new
and dynamic ways to achieve our
objectives based on research and
new technologies
• value for money – delivering
cost-effective and innovative services
in a period of recession
• strengthening transition –
improving the often difficult
transition from child and adolescent
mental health services to adult
services, for those with continuing
needs.
The Department of
Health is currently
looking at what
people said in
response to the
New Horizons
consultation.
It plans to
publish the final
New Horizons
approach
before the
end of
2009.
New Horizons consultation document can be viewed at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_103144
from Inheritance tax, currently
charged at 40% on estates exceeding £300,000 – a tangible benefit.
Those who choose to remember
Thanks to the generosity of John and
Brenda Carlile PAPYRUS has
received a substantial bequest from the
estate of their late uncle, Thomas
Anthony Gane.
“We have been left a bequest to
nominate to a charity of our choice.
Our son suffered from severe clinical
depression for six years ending in him
committing suicide in 2001. We have
Sharing experience ...
Dear PAPYRUS
I am writing to you on behalf of ‘Elizabeth’s
campaign – better mental health services for
young persons aged 18 – 25’. The campaign’s
objectives are to ensure better support service
delivery specifically for patients who have
received long term in-patient paediatric to
adolescent psychiatric care and who are, at
age eighteen, transferred into adult psychiatric
services.
As I am sure you already know young people who
suffer from long-term mental illness mostly receive good
quality in-patient care within adolescent psychiatric
services. However, at age eighteen they are then
transferred to adult in-patient care, which has a number
of major implications to the young person’s prognosis.
Once transferred to adult services, patients are expected
to take a far greater degree of responsibility for their
own medical and social treatment. Those people who
have experienced long-term in-patient care from the
age of fifteen, for example, lack the necessary social
skills and emotional maturity to cope in such an
environment because they have missed out on the key
development stage during adolescence. Many see
adults who have been in care for many years and feel a
sense of despair at the thought of their own path.
Specifically, there must be an interim unit for young
persons enabling them to deal with the daunting
realisation of their own care in an adult environment
before the transition to full adult services, with
appropriately trained medical, nursing and support staff.
It is the campaign’s belief that this issue must be
addressed and that there is a formal framework put in
place so that patients can progressively learn the skills
needed to take responsibility for their medical and social
care that is dependant upon that patient’s individual
needs and mental capability.
Any framework should not only improve the quality
of day-to-day living for these patients but also reduce
the risk of re-admittance to hospital or even worse
through the criminal justice service, once released into
the community. Implementing such a framework would
include specific hospital or unit based facilities, training
for specialist registrars (SpR) working in paediatric and
adolescent psychiatry in line with the RCPsych
Competency Based Curriculum for Specialist Training in
Psychiatry June 2008.
The reason I am involved and concerned with this
area of medicine is that my daughter Elizabeth Anna
Rattenbury age 21 passed away on 11 May 09 taking
PAPYRUS formally in their will
her own life whilst an in-patient. Lizzie had spent many
pledge to provide an important
years travelling through the paediatric & youth services
source of funding that has the
but was totally unprepared for the next transition.
power to save future young lives.
Having spoken to her friends from the various units
around the country, they all appear to have shared the
been looking for a suitable charity to
same fear and trepidation of the transition into the
nominate and came across yourselves. unknown adult service and most experienced despair
Having looked at your website we
and lack of hope.
have decided that we would like to
Simon Rattenbury
nominate you for this money since you
Simon is a Clinical Microbiologist
aim to help young people suffering
based in an NHS Trust.
from depression and to try and help
prevent them from committing suicide.
This would be a fitting memory to our
PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009 5
son Warrand.”
IN Brief
Cause and effect
PAPYRUS has received a grant, over
two years, from BBC Children in Need
towards the operation of HOPELineUK
and raising awareness that help is
available.
We thank the thousands of donors,
fundraisers and organisations who ‘did
something different’ and contributed to
the campaign, which amounted to a
record-breaking appeal night. This grant
is a major boost to the work we do to try
to prevent young people from taking
their own lives.
David Ramsden, chief executive
of BBC Children in Need, said: “Our
grants are made possible by the amazing
generosity of the public. They make it
possible for us to help great initiatives
like the HOPELineUK helpline to
continue to help change young lives
for the better.”
All grants go to projects working
with children and young people who
may be affected by homelessness,
neglect, abuse or poverty, or those
who have encountered serious illness,
disabilities and psychological disorders.
PAPYRUS on The Life
Channel
PAPYRUS has recently collaborated with
The Life Channel to conceive a
strong campaign aimed at engaging
vulnerable young people who may
need help.
The Life Channel is a community
television network promoting services
and information on health, wellbeing
and community issues, reaching an
audience of seven million people
each month.
The PAPYRUS campaign is a
short, but powerful ‘advertisement’
urging young people in need to call
HOPELineUK. It can be viewed at
www.canproofit.com by entering
PAPYRUS in the white box (it may
take a few seconds to load).
The campaign is primarily aimed
for use in schools, colleges and doctors’
surgeries. To sponsor the campaign in
your area, contact Jeremy Earley,
Commercial Director at The Life
Channel on 07814 255 298.
www.thelifechannel.com
6 PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009
YoungPAPYRUS
SPOTLIGHT: Suicide and self-harm
Student fun on a serious note
PAPYRUS member Louise Carpenter reports on The Association
for Child and Adolescent Mental Health conference – Suicide and
Self Harm: Strategies in Prevention and Intervention.
Professor Phillip Graham set the
scene with the complexity of statistical
information available for self-harm and
suicide in young people, highlighting the
alarming fact that less than a third of
young people who self-harm come to
clinical attention. He reminded us that
frequently there is conflation between
the two and proposed that in his view,
the epidemiology is quite different.
Having underlined the dangerous myth
that adolescence and depression
naturally coexist, he highlighted the role
of low self-worth, distorted adolescent
perceptions and the social and economic
context of young people growing up
today as giving an additional perspective
in understanding this challenge.
Dr Peter Hindley, Consultant Child
and Adolescent Psychiatrist in Paediatric
Liaison at St. Thomas’ Hospital, delivered
a packed presentation on recent research
findings. He pointed to the important
disinhibiting factors of alcohol and drugs
and outlined some high risk populations
of young people – those in social care,
bully-victims and bullies, youth offenders
– supporting the need for specialist
services. He moved on to consider social
processes which indicate there may be
some social modelling in male peer
groups, also advising us of the strong
association between difficulties in
relationships, bullying and nonheterosexual orientation and pathology,
whilst underlining that not all those who
present with self-harming behaviours
have mental health problems.
Dr Julia Ronder, Consultant and
Lead Child Psychiatrist in East Kent
Hospitals and Dr Anja
Malmendier–Muehlschlegel,
This was an extensive, thoughtConsultant Child and Adolescent
Psychiatrist at the Lenworth clinic in
provoking and rich conference.
Ashford have both been jointly involved
in setting up a Dialectical Behaviour
Therapy (DBT) informed service for young
Louise is the Strategic Lead Specialist
people with parasuicidal and suicidal
in the Community Child and Adolescent
behaviours within a busy Tier 3 CAMHS
Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team,
team. We benefitted from their joint
North Wales NHS Trust.
extensive knowledge and enthusiasm
for DBT which they synthesised into an
engrossing presentation, brought to life
with case studies, covering the biosocial theory, where the young persons’
biological vulnerability leads them to
process criticism from their invalidating
environment badly, thus leading to
The National Confidential Inquiry into
pervasive emotional dysregulation.
Suicide and Homicide is a research
project at the Centre for Suicide
Dr Dennis Ougrin, Specialist
Prevention in the University of
Registrar in Child and Adolescent
Manchester.
Psychiatry at South London and
The recently published annual report found:
Maudesley NHS Trust and Kraupl
Taylor research fellow at the Institute
• a fall in suicide by mental health patients
overall and a continued fall in suicide by
of Psychiatry, shared a model of selfin-patients
harm assessment being developed at
the Maudesley, which shows promise
• suicide following absconding from the ward
remains a serious problem
in addressing the challenge of
engagement with adolescents, up to
• however, few serious incidents occurred
following absconding from secure units.
77% of whom drop out of treatment.
The research, funded by the National Patient
As poor engagement is linked to
Safety Agency, examines suicide and homicide
increased suicidality and hopelessness,
data for people with mental illness for England
this is indeed an interesting and
and Wales. The figures relate to 1997-2006 for
important development.
suicide and 1997-2005 for homicide.
Fresh
Megan (far left)
chats to the students
during Freshers’
week.
Amy (inset below
left) shows off the
PAPYRUS stall.
recruits
Amy Llewellyn, YoungPAPYRUS
Co-ordinator, on busy student activity
and venturing into social networking.
Flying corporate colours at Manchester University
Students’ Union Freshers’ Fair was an enthusiastic
team of YoungPAPYRUS supporters manning our
purple-and-yellow themed stand.
Attendance was overwhelming, with freshers eagerly queueing in
the rain at 9 am.
On each of the three days around 8,000 students passed through the
event, keeping our volunteers Megan, Amy, Jennifer, Omar, Melisa and Lisa
extremely busy. We distributed 800 flyers as well as toys, balloons, sweets
and teabags to ensure we made our mark with these new students.
In addition we collected hundreds of email addresses in an
energetic recruitment drive, enabling us to follow the
event with a personalised mailing to 423 individual
students, with whom we hope to maintain interest in
YoungPAPYRUS.
In confidence
The number of patient deaths by suicide
has gone down to its lowest level since data
collection began in 1997. In 2006, there were
185 fewer deaths than in 2005. The number of
in-patient suicides has continued to fall from a
high of 219 deaths in 1997 to 141 in 2006.
There have been no reports of in-patient
deaths using fixed curtain rails since 2003,
following an NHS directive calling for them to be
removed from wards. The report also found that
the number of suicides by patients in the
community who have refused treatment or
refused further contact with services has fallen.
However, in the 10 years to 2006, there were
469 suicides by patients who had left a ward
without permission. Most were on an open
ward – only five had absconded from a secure
psychiatric unit.
A full copy of the National Confidential
Inquiry report is available at:
www.manchester.ac.uk/nci
Signing on...
Manchester University’s Volunteering and
Community Engagement Team – part of
the Careers and Employability Division –
invited YoungPAPYRUS to participate
in its community fete on 8 October, a
chance for students to find volunteering
opportunities and for us to recruit.
Whilst there were fewer attendees
than the Freshers’ Fair, those that came
showed a greater interest in joining
YoungPAPYRUS and I was able to talk
at length to around 50, all of whom left
their email addresses.
After touring the various opportunities
available, students were then able to
attend several panel sessions on the
benefits of voluntary work.
Stay connected via Facebook and Twitter
PAPYRUS has expanded its online presence recently, with the creation of
a Facebook ‘fan’ site and a foray into Twitter.
You can now show your support for PAPYRUS by
becoming a virtual ‘fan,’ by searching for PAPYRUS
Prevention of Young Suicide in the ‘pages’ section of
Facebook. You can keep up-to-date with news and events,
as well as browse photographs from our
fantastic fundraisers.
This fan page is also linked to Twitter, which allows us to run a daily
‘newsfeed’ of activity. To keep updated via your Twitter account, visit
www.twitter.com/PAPYRUS_tweets and request to ‘follow’ us, or search for
‘suicide prevention.’
Links to both pages can also be found at www.papyrus-uk.org
Private messaging, discussion boards and other interactive features have been
removed from all PAPYRUS social networking sites as a precaution. Although the
internet can be used as a valuable tool to spread positive messages, we are very
aware of the potential for harmful activity.
Fundraisers wishing to add photos to the Facebook or Twitter pages can email
them to amy.llewellyn@papyrus-uk.org with details of their event.
PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009 7
Media monitoring
is our business
In the last issue I reported on successful media collaboration that
resulted in the removal from several newspaper websites of
information that PAPYRUS regarded as excessive detail about
methods of suicide.
We continue, in consultation with the Press Complaints
Commission, to highlight irresponsible reporting and have had
further success.
Reports by the Daily Telegraph, the Daily
Mirror and The Sun all named a prescribed
medication that had been taken by a
teenage girl who took her own life with an
overdose of the substance. We objected
because it was medication that vulnerable
teenage girls could easily obtain from their
doctors.
In some of these instances there has been substantial
negotiation. For example in this latter case, one newspaper
initially argued that because there was no reference to the
quantity of pills taken there was no breach of the Editors’ Code of
Practice and it was not willing to amend the piece. However, we
successfully pursued.
We are also raising concern about reference by some press to a
bridge in Scotland as a ‘popular suicide spot’. (See below).
Encouraging responsible media reporting that does not
sensationalise, glamorise or normalise suicide is, I believe, an
essential role for PAPYRUS.
Our approach is always collaborative, never confrontational.
After all, we also approach these same editors to run positive
stories about PAPYRUS and to include HOPELineUK as a
confidential, non-judgmental source of help for young people with
suicidal feelings and those concerned about them.
A third party such as PAPYRUS may complain on an individual’s
behalf, so if you have a concern I shall be happy to handle it for
you. And, of course, I am always happy to discuss other media
issues that you might have.
Rosemary Vaux, Press Office.
Tel 020 8943 5343 email rvaux@ravenstonepr.co.uk
Suicide Hotspots
The term ‘suicide hotspot’ has two
possible meanings. It is frequently
used to refer to either a town,
county or country with a relatively high
rate of suicide among its resident
population or a specific, usually public,
site that is frequently used as a location
for suicide.
Many well-known locations
throughout the world have become
associated with suicidal acts. They
include both man-made structures and
natural sites, such as a bridge or a cliff,
some of which have iconic status or
significance. These places seem to
act as magnets, attracting suicidal
8 PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009
individuals. There are also many less
well-known locations and every local
area will have sites and structures that
lend themselves to suicide attempts.
The National Institute for Mental
Health in England (NIMHE) recognises
the high importance of this issue.
As part of its contribution to the
implementation of the National Suicide
Prevention Strategy for England and to
achieve an overall reduction in suicides,
it has published guidance notes to
assist multi-agency groups to identify
‘hotspots’ for suicide and to take
appropriate steps to improve safety and
deter acts of suicide at those locations.
Partnership – Deeside College
Partners
dig deep
Deeside College students and
staff are hoping to raise lots of
money for PAPYRUS as its
charity of the year.
PAPYRUS has been adopted with huge
enthusiasm by staff at both Deeside College and
Northop College of Horticulture. Staff member
and fundraising co-ordinator, Paul Hinchliffe,
is aiming to surpass last year’s extraordinary
achievement of raising almost £27,000 for
the NSPCC.
Anne Parry, Debbie Thompson and Amy
Llewellyn joined College Principal David Jones,
staff and College students at a media photocall
to officially launch the year’s fundraising. With
bold promotional displays around the college,
including a vast charity wall with plasma screen,
PAPYRUS cannot be missed.
Students and staff are now planning a series
of events and activities. From Dragon Boat
racing, white water rafting and sky diving to
sponsored walks, bike rides and marathons it
promises to be a busy year.
Last month was the annual Principal’s Charity
Dinner. ”It was a wonderful evening, beautifully
presented and extremely well supported by local
businesses and dignitaries, indicating the high
regard in which the College is held,” said Anne
Parry. “The work the students and staff do for
their chosen charity is renowned and we are
looking forward to working with them to help
raise funds to support HOPELineUK.”
The Rt Hon David Hanson, Delyn MP and
Home Office Minister attended the Dinner. “As a
patron of PAPYRUS I am delighted the College
has adopted our charity for the forthcoming
year. The evening itself was very enjoyable with
some entertaining speeches and a wide range of
fundraising activities,” he commented.
Engaging students
Not only is our partnership with Deeside
college fantastic from a fundraising
point of view, it also gives more young
people the chance to get involved with
the charity through YoungPAPYRUS.
Through open discussion and problemsolving sessions, students will gain a greater
understanding of the charity they are working
so hard to fundraise for, and PAPYRUS will
gain the valuable perspective of young
PAPYRUS and Deeside at launch; PAPYRUS
charity wall (right).
people in further education.
Deeside pupils will take part
in relaxed forums with a focus
on our current theme of transition
from school, with the possibility
of these evolving into a new
project for YoungPAPYRUS.
Similarly, general awareness raising
sessions with staff and students are
proving popular, providing an excellent
opportunity to inform on suicidal
indicators and available help.
BTEC – Children’s Care, Learning and Development year 1
students are especially involved with the PAPYRUS year and
offer their thoughts:
Gemma Pitchford:
Katie Pitchford:
“The charity helps to save young people’s
“I think it is good as it raises
lives. I am hoping to be involved in raising
awareness for young people
money through a variety of events.”
on how important suicide
prevention is. I am looking
forward to being involved in
Charlene Blackborow:
many charity events and
“I feel it is important to inform
took part in selling raffle
people that suicide happens and it
tickets for a harvest
can be prevented.”
hamper.”
Principal QUOTE
MediaUPDATE
“PAPYRUS is the leading
organisation dealing with real issues
that could be affecting any one of
our students right now. We are
absolutely delighted to be
supporting the charity this year, and
I have no doubt that the students
and staff at Deeside College have chosen a
most worthwhile cause. The hard work and
generosity of everyone associated with Deeside
College, evidenced through many years of
fundraising, will ensure that not only will we
raise a large amount of money each year for
PAPYRUS, but also just as importantly, a great
deal of publicity and awareness raising. I have
made it my personal mission this year, to make
sure everyone I meet knows about PAPYRUS,
and the great work undertaken by everyone
involved with the charity. We have had a very
successful start to the fundraising year, with
many thousands of pounds already raised,
and through a wide range of activities and
challenges over the next 10 months, I am sure
we will raise a record sum.”
David Jones, Principal and
Chief Executive at Deeside College.
All Party Parliamentary Suicide Prevention Group.
It is 12 months since this group was launched in the House of
Commons. At the inaugural meeting in November 2008 Madeline
Moon MP for Bridgend expressed the hope that the establishment
of the All Party Group on Suicide Prevention would improve
understanding and raise awareness of suicide and self-harm issues
both with parliamentary colleagues and back in constituencies,
advance dialogue with ministers and keep the issue of suicide
prevention high on the Government’s agenda.
The first meeting of the current parliamentary
year considered Men, Mental Distress and Suicide:
‘How to reach young men with help and advice’
with speakers: Phil Hope MP – Minister of State
for Care Services, Vicki Nash – Head of Policy
and Campaigns, MIND and Professor David
Gunnell – University of Bristol.
Phil Hope’s ministerial responsibilities at the Department of
Health include mental health services and the
New Horizons programme which will set out the
Five meetings took place during the parliamentary year and
Government’s approach to mental health over
addressed the following issues:
the next 10 years.
!
The role of the media with speakers Will Gore (Press Complaints
Following each meeting Madeline Moon has
Commission), Paul Holleran (National Union of Journalists), and Dominic written to the relevant Minister or Ministers to
Rudd (Samaritans).
highlight the issues raised. A number of specific
!
The impact of the internet with speakers Professor Tanya Byron, Professor
meetings with Ministers have taken place including a
Sonia Livingstone (London School of Economics) and Dr Rachel
meeting with Minister of Employment, Jim Knight,
O’Connell from Bebo.
to discuss the role of Job Centre Plus during the
!
Learning best practice from suicide prevention strategies across the home
recession and the support they are able to provide
nations with presentations from Professor Louis Appleby (England),
to vulnerable individuals.
Dougie Patterson (Scotland) and Dr Sarah Watkins (Wales).
The meetings were attended by Anne Parry,
!
Suicide amongst forces veterans with Professor Nav Kapur as speaker.
Rosemary Vaux and Trustee, Paul Kelly.
!
People with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal
justice system with speakers Juliet Lyon from the Prison Reform
PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009 9
Trust and Frances Crook from the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Welcome
ed with the
Once more we are overwhelm
Support and ideas
It is an exciting time for the charity and
for the endless future possibilities for the
fundraising department.
We shall be expanding our website
fundraising presence, publishing forthcoming
events and fundraising news and introducing
a new fundraising database to streamline
communication with our growing number of
fundraisers.
If you are thinking of fundraising please
don’t hesitate to contact me, I can suggest
ideas for events and provide equipment,
letters of authority, sponsor forms, donation
envelopes, merchandise, posters, advice on
how to maximise your event with gift aid and
more … as well as a listening ear!!
email: liz.daglish@papyrus-uk.org
Fearless Liz goes
fundraising.
10 PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009
fundraisers...
Christmas Tree
Festivals
Fundraising and donations
Elizabeth Daglish joins the Head Office team
I was absolutely thrilled to receive the
phone call offering me the post of
Community Fundraiser with PAPYRUS.
After beginning my career in
fundraising with a learning disability
charity and then gaining valuable
fundraising experience at the local
hospice in Burnley, to work for a
national charity is incredible; to work
for the prevention of young suicide is
personally unparalleled!
Part of my role is to support individuals
and organisations fundraising for PAPYRUS,
building on the sterling support that Lisa and
other members of the Head Office team have
provided to date. This can be by supporting the
event or helping in the organisational stages of
fundraising, the other part is to raise awareness
of the essential work and services that
PAPYRUS provides.
We already have fantastic groups operating
in the Marches, North Wales and Aberdeen and
I hope to engage an active volunteer fundraising
group for Pendle in the very near future. I would
also like to organise annual campaigns that
would secure a steady stream of funding.
I have talked to many of our members and
current fundraisers and am very moved when I
see their treasured pictures, read or share the
personal stories behind their motivation to save
young lives and the feeling this positive gesture
creates. I firmly believe fundraising and raising
awareness go hand in hand.
our
generous and energetic support of
! PAPYRUS-in-the-Marches
Huge thanks to Stephanie Lyth-Lawley and
her intrepid committee who continue their
tremendous support for PAPYRUS and
HOPELineUK. They have raised another
substantial amount this year through a
wonderful variety of events including their
annual Christmas Fair as we go to press. …
Brilliant, we all thank you …Ed.
Sparkling piano recital for
PAPYRUS
!
A warm welcome to new members Ann
and Dan Naylor who have founded a
charitable fund in memory of their son
James, which aims to fund projects to
prevent young suicide.
The first fundraising event for the
James Naylor Memorial Fund was a
Concert in September at Tonbridge School in
Kent, the proceeds of which have been very
kindly donated to PAPYRUS.
It was very well attended and Trustee
Angela Robinson and member Andrea Linell
joined the audience, which packed the main
school hall. The Pianist was Daniel
Grimwood who has been acclaimed as one
of the finest all-round musicians of his
generation. He played a Chopin nocturne,
Liszt, Schumann and the Rachmaninoff First
Sonata. Angela gave a short profile of
PAPYRUS, explaining its aims and current
activities.
Grateful thanks to Ann and Dan and to
Tonbridge School and Daniel Grimwood,
who both gave their services free.
Andrea Linell
Lions’ pride –
David Barwick,
Anne and Tony
Parry.
Lions Clubs in his District and made
presentations about PAPYRUS to follow
District Governors in the UK.
Wonderful support for our work, and
fantastic profile raising ….thank you … Ed.
! Manchester Super Six
Six intrepid girls from the Manchester
Triathlon Club completed an enormous
physical and mental challenge, which is the
first of its kind.
Kate Gallop (24), Catie Smith (30),
Anna Tayler (24), Deborah Tout (30)
Elise Welch (29) and Katie Winter (26)
climbed the UK’s three largest peaks – Ben
Nevis, Scarfell Pike, Snowdon – and swam
the three largest lakes – Loch Lomond, Lake
Windermere, Lake Bala – in a continuous
relay that took just 58 hours, two hours
ahead of their target 60 hours.
That is over 10,000ft of climbing and 35
miles swimming from this super fit team that
undertook a rigid training regime,
determined to raise funds to help save
young lives.
“The concert was a great success with
over 220 people attending. It augurs well for
future fund raisers which are planned for
2010. The James Naylor Memorial Fund is
delighted to donate the proceeds for the
evening to PAPYRUS." Dan Naylor
Lions’ fundraising a roaring
success
!
At the invitation of District Governor, David
Barwick, Anne Parry was keynote speaker
at the annual convention of Lions District
105BS that encompasses 65 Lions Clubs
across North Wales, Cheshire, Shropshire and
Staffordshire.
David presented PAPYRUS with a
cheque, the culmination of a busy year
spreading the word about our charity
and gaining the magnificent support of
colleagues.
Each year the new District Governor
nominates a beneficiary charity for the year.
Guided by his two children, David chose
PAPYRUS. Armed with PAPYRUS leaflets
and information he has visited all 65
! Hero Next Door
Jacqueline Kent and her friends at Hero
Next Door, the Aberdeen PAPYRUS fundraising
group is flourishing. They now have the support
of Granite Garters (Aberdeen Burlesque
Society), which has shot a charity pin-up calendar
to raise more funds. A fun Christmas stocking
present, it is now on pre-sale at
www.granitegarters.bigcartel.com
! Song4Emma
The Song4Emma campaign has been an outstanding success through a programme of
events and gigs, and of course the
Song4Emma – 1000 Tears and God Bless
recorded by Richie Wermerling and artists –
in memory of Emma Curley, an avid music
fan. You may contribute by downloading
Song4Emma at www.song4emma.co.uk
Very many thanks to Emma’s parents
Ann & Steve Curley for nominating
PAPYRUS, and to her cousin Stewart
Craner for his dedication and energy.
! Pink Support for TATTOO JAM
PAPYRUS was the nominated charity for this year’s three
day TATTOO JAM at Doncaster Racecourse – the biggest
tattoo convention in the UK featuring 220 international
tattooists and 30 live bands.
Huge thanks to the organisers and tattoo rocker
PINK who donated a signed pink guitar for the auction.
Amy Llewellyn and YoungPAPYRUS members did a
great job raising awareness. Many thanks to all sponsors.
Pink guitar won by Iain Bennett and presented by
Amy Llewellyn.
Running for fun and
PAPYRUS
!
Over the summer across the UK many
put on running kit and trainers for PAPYRUS.
Joining the Big Fun Run were Bruce
Whamond in Dundee, Craig Howlett
and David Bottomley in Leicester, Helen
Burdess and Susan
Barfield in Leeds and
around the park in Derby,
Harvey Toolan.
Gerdwyn Steel ran
the Swansea 10K, Ian
Snailham the Manchester
100, Julie Carney (pictured
left) the Adidas Women’s
Challenge, Kate Lambert
and Elizabeth Savill the
Cardiff Half Marathon,
Michel Mathieu the
Glasgow Half Marathon, and Rebecca
Linkwater the Robin Hood Marathon.
Liz’s
Seasonal FUNdraising
! Pick and Mix
Your creative ideas never cease to amaze us …
Our thanks to Jackie Slocombe and
Graham Oritt who raised money at the
Royal Mail and Newburgh Sports Club; Jamie
Stephenson for determination through a
challenging walk around Cornwall; Freddie
Athill for cycling 4,000 miles across America;
Louise Maisey for a sponsored silence;
Mathew Wood for his journey Home to
Rome in a Banger; Michael Mayland for
cycling the French Alps; Molly Assheton for
her brave sky dive; Simon Herbertson for
his street collection;
Joe Platt for
selling wrist bands,
Michel Mathieu
(right, again!) and
friends for their
Inverness ‘Monster
Challenge’ and
Pearl Harrowell
requested that PAPYRUS benefit from her
special birthday celebration.
Ideas...
! Going to your work Christmas party? Why not have a whip round for
PAPYRUS. We can provide official donation envelopes. Count contributions the
following day (hangover allowing), send us a cheque in the pre-paid envelope
provided – and we’ll send you a certificate for your staff noticeboard.
if
dressed in Santa or Elf hats,
! Christmas Carolling is fun
ared to return replete with
not full costume. Just be prep
tion bucket.
mince pies, as well as a full dona
Make this a special Christmas for the little children in your life with a
personalised letter from Santa. Send us your full contact details and
telephone number together with the child’s full name, age and
address for the Santa letter, with a donation to FREEPOST PAPYRUS,
Lodge House, Thompson Park, Burnley BB11 2RU. We shall send your
child a personalised ‘handwritten’ letter.
Fakenham
Church Norfolk
Member Di Butler is
sponsoring a Christmas tree in
the name of PAPYRUS in memory
of her son David, at a special
festival at her parish church in
Fakenham, Norfolk.
The Christmas Tree Festival is the
highlight of the church year, attracting over
20,000 visitors last year. Each day during
the week 3 to 10 December the church will
be lit by 80 Christmas trees decorated for
one of the charities taking part.
Visitors donate coins to support their
chosen charities, which range from large
national organisations to local schools and
nurseries. During the last seven years since
the first festival over £200,000 has been
donated to charities taking part.
A lovely idea, thank you
for your support Di … Ed
Towneley Hall, Burnley
PAPYRUS will also have a tree at the Burnley
Christmas Tree Festival that takes place at
Towneley Hall from 7 to 13 December – a
fundraising event for charities.
Our Head Office staff will be
demonstrating their creative skills with
decorations kindly donated by Dawsons
Department Store, Clitheroe. Keep an
eye on the website for a photograph. If you
wish to reward their effort a donation can
be made at Justgiving –
www.justgiving.com.
We also need volunteers to ‘man’ our
information stall. If you live locally and could
spare time between 12 noon and 4.30 pm
on one or more afternoons please contact
Liz Daglish.
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PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009 11
HOPELineUK
Volunteers needed
Could you donate a little time to PAPYRUS?
Where? To support our HOPELineUK helpline team in Wrexham,
North Wales.
When? During helpline opening hours, particularly evenings and
weekends
What?
! To help maintain our information database
! Prepare packs of literature and promotional mailings
! Telephone reception work
Interested? Please email or post a CV or short description
of any previous experience, together with contact details of two
referees to – Deborah Cocker, Office Manager, at the office
address or email below.
Fundraising
Events
Thursday 26 November.
Tunnels Gig with live bands, Aberdeen … check out
www.heronextdoor.co.uk for more details.
Catch us on
the web!
Friday 27 November – 7.30pm.
The beautiful Hom Church is the venue
you doing so
for PAPYRUS-in-the-Marches’ popular
With so many of
US we can’t
annual Black Tie concert featuring
much for PAPYR
your efforts
TRIPTYCH. Tickets are £25 and include
do justice to all
We are
in the newsletter.
canapes and a glass of wine.
website
redeveloping the
Do join us for this very festive
ed fundraising
with an expand
occasion. For information and tickets
ding in
tion, so keep sen
sec
please call Stephanie Lyth-Lawley on
cking out
your news and che for
01989 769 581.
w.papyrus-uk.org
ww
nts.
forthcoming eve
Contact details
PAPYRUS
Lodge House, Thompson Park, Ormerod Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 2RU.
Tel: 01282 432 555 Fax: 01282 432 777 email: admin@papyrus-uk.org
web: www.papyrus-uk.org
For support, practical advice and information
concerning suicide prevention call
HOPELineUK 0800 068 41 41.
PATRONS: Rt Hon David Hanson MP, Rt Hon David Heathcoat-Amory MP,
Simon Hughes MP.
HONORARY ADVISOR: Professor Mark Williams – University of Oxford.
FOUNDER: Jean Kerr – Lancashire.
This newsletter is available online at www.papyrus-uk.org/NL/40
Back copies of previous newsletters are also on the website.
Letter
Dear Papyrus
This is just a note to thank you for all
you do when you listen gently with
your kind voices which are so comforting
when there seems to be no-one else to
talk to and no-one who understands
the parents.
I regularly mean to send a thank you
but I think this is the first in two years
since I have spoken to you. My daughter
L********** celebrates her 16th
birthday at home for the weekend and
we are so grateful for that and for all
the support she has had despite the
difficulties.
Thank you is such a small saying but
means so much, you literally do give a
lifeline to people like me trying to
understand and cope with their situation.
So thank you, you are in my prayers.
Keep helping others like us.
From a mother.
Donations, grants, trusts
and fundraising
Grants and Trusts:
Ashton Foundation
Susanna Peake Charitable Trust
Zurich Community Trust
Keoghs Coventry Charity Committee
Charities Trust.
Donors:
PAPYRUS in Wales
PAPYRUS-in-the-Marches
Stephen & Sheila Habgood
Bridget & Martin Wilson
Anne & Richard Harle
Joan Alexanders
Jolene McDonald
Mr McKean
Ms Carolyn Eadie
Mrs P Harrowell
Mr Phil Mathews
Mrs C L Francis
Newcastle Under Lyme College
Jazz Publishing
Naylors Printers
Abstract Printing
Helen Flannagan of Coronation Street
Pink
Michael Jelly.
In memory
!
!
!
Edward Kerr
Craig Painter
Brian Shields
Please note, the views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team or of PAPYRUS as an organisation. Any information
contained in this newsletter is intended for guidance only and is not a substitute for professional advice. No responsibility for loss occasioned as a result of any
person acting or refraining from acting because of what is written in the newsletter can be accepted by the publisher, authors or the PAPYRUS Trustees.
Registered Charity Number 1070896. A Company Limited By Guarantee Number 3555482
Visit: www.papyrus-uk.org
12 PAPYRUS AUTUMN 2009