Collaboration is Key: Cornwall’s Towards Zero Suicide Conference Hailed a Huge Success

Published On: 5 December 2024Last Updated: 5 December 2024By CornishStuff

150 Gather in Wadebridge for Annual Event on Suicide Prevention

A recent conference in Wadebridge has been hailed as a significant step in Cornwall’s ongoing mission to reduce suicides in local communities. Held at The Pavilion Centre at the Royal Cornwall Showground on Thursday, 13th November, the annual Towards Zero event brought together 150 attendees from a range of organisations.

Organised by Public Health Cornwall, this year’s theme focused on “Changing the narrative on suicide” and featured a variety of presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration. Videos from the event’s presentations can be accessed on the Towards Zero Suicide pages of the Cornwall Council website.

A Collaborative Approach to Suicide Prevention

The conference showcased the expertise of representatives from health and care sectors, alongside local voluntary, charitable, and social enterprises. Presentations covered key topics, including suicide prevention training, bereavement support, and life after military service.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, opened the event, emphasising the progress being made in supporting those struggling with suicidal thoughts and those bereaved by suicide. Rachel stated:
“Towards Zero is hugely important as it keeps us all on course and reminds us of the importance of improving the availability of those things that people tell us are so important to them when they feel vulnerable or at crisis point, and which help promote personal recovery, wellbeing and resilience.”

Michelle Hooker, Public Health Practitioner and suicide prevention lead for Cornwall Council’s Public Health team, echoed the importance of collaboration in achieving the event’s goals:
“It was brilliant to see so many people coming together for this year’s event and once again putting suicide prevention at the top of everyone’s priorities.”

Support for Communities Across Cornwall

Councillor Dr Andy Virr, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health at Cornwall Council, highlighted the critical nature of the event in addressing the impact of suicide:
“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and has devastating consequences for families, friends and communities. We need to face it and talk about it together, and this is what the Towards Zero event helps us to do.”

Free suicide prevention training is available to residents and workers in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which can help people feel more confident in having vital conversations and signposting services. More details on this training are available here.

For anyone concerned about their mental health or someone else’s, the 111 helpline is available 24/7. By selecting the mental health option (option 2), callers can speak to a mental health professional at no cost.