Issue - meetings

30.1     The Board considered a report on the development of suicide prevention strategies and action plans for Sussex and East Sussex. Darrell Gale introduced the report and outlined the need for an overarching East Sussex Suicide Prevention Strategy which links to a wider pan-Sussex Strategy matching the areas covered by the Integrated Care Board (NHS Sussex) and Sussex Police. The Strategies reflect the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy, and the report also covers the support provided to people bereaved by suicide.

30.2     Members of the Board commented that the report and strategies were really good pieces of work, and the development of the East Sussex Strategy reflects the input from the people affected by this issue. Alison Jeffery commented that suicide prevention is a significant issue for the children and young people of East Sussex and that East Sussex is an outlier for Emergency Department attendance for self-harm. The Board recognised the importance of this work especially for children and young people.

30.3     The Board RESOLVED to note the recent and ongoing work to develop and implement the two suicide prevention strategies and action plans for Sussex and East Sussex.