Save Sussex Place of Calm suicide prevention service

The Place of Calm is a peer-supported 24/7 crisis service - the first of its kind in the country - a supportive sanctuary for people who are suicidal or in mental health crisis in East Sussex. It saves lives, but if its funding ends in March 2017, it will be shut down.

There are an average of 77 suicides per year in East Sussex. The Place of Calm works to reduce suicides in the area but Public Health funding is about to end after the pilot stage in March 2017.

The Place of Calm offers suicide prevention interventions, safety planning, emotional and psychological support, and practical support such as signposting, food, and a place to shower and sleep.

Over 70 people have stayed at the Place of Calm since it was set up 18 months ago, and follow-up surveys have shown that 100% of respondents were made to feel less suicidal, with 94% saying that Place of Calm "saved their life" that day.

For every £1 spent on the project, nearly £6 is saved from Health and Social Care spending. At a cost of just over £100,000 per year to run, the Place of Calm potentially saves public services £600,000 each year.

A person who stayed at Place of Calm said, "If it were not for the place of calm that day I would have taken my own life. I would like to thank all those that looked after me and supported me during my stay which has led to me feeling so much better."

Please sign our petition to ask East Sussex Commissioners to help the Place of Calm stay open.

If you, or anyone you know, is directly affected by suicide please see the following helpful suicide prevention resources:

http://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find_help.html

http://www.samaritans.org/  or call 116 123 [UK]

For info:  http://recovery-partners.co.uk/how-we-can-help/place-of-calm/

 

We call on East Sussex Commissioners to continue to fund the Place of Calm suicide prevention service.


The Place of Calm is a peer-supported 24/7 crisis service - the first of its kind in the country – a supportive sanctuary for people who are suicidal or in mental health crisis in East Sussex.


More than 30% of suicides take place in a public space. East Sussex has a higher than average suicide rate in England, due mainly to it's proximity to a suicide 'hotspot'. For the period 2006 – 2013 there were an average of 77 suicides per year in East Sussex. 


As part of the Government’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy, East Sussex Public Health were granted funding for a programme of work to reduce suicides in the county, with a particular focus around Eastbourne. From this The Place of Calm was commissioned as a partnership pilot between Sussex Oakleaf* and Recovery Partners** in 2015.


The Place of Calm began as a pilot project in June 2015 and initial funding was continued until March 2017, but is now due to end.


Innovative approach                                                                                                      The Place of Calm’s innovative Peer Support Approach means suicidal people can stay up to 24 hours in a safe place in the community and receive practical and emotional support from trained professionals who have their own lived experience of mental health challenges.


Life saving                                                                                                                     The Place of Calm offers suicide prevention interventions, safety planning, emotional and psychological support, and practical support such as signposting, food, and a place to shower and sleep. 


Over 70 people have stayed at the Place of Calm since it was set up, and follow-up surveys have shown that 100% of respondents said they were made to feel less suicidal, with 94% saying that Place of Calm ‘saved their life’ that day.


Studies show that most suicides are preventable. People with mental illness are at higher risk of suicide, and the treatment and care they receive after making a suicide attempt is an important factor in reducing further suicide attempts.


Money saving                                                                                                       Evidence suggests that not only does it save lives, the Place of Calm is cost-effective, with calculations showing for every £1 spent on the project, nearly £6 is saved from Health and Social Care spending. At a cost of just over £100,000 per year to run, the Place of Calm potentially saves public services £600,000 each year.


A 2016 evaluation by the University of East London demonstrated extremely positive results, showing that The Place of Calm:



  • Has made a successful start as a new resource offering a different kind of support for suicidal people in East Sussex.

  • Should become established on a permanent basis.

  • Offers a helpful and distinctive model for people in suicidal crises, which is de-stigmatising and non-medical, and highly valued by people who stay there.

  • Has robust qualities for working with suicidal people, and has the potential to be replicated elsewhere.

  • Is recognised by referrers from Health Services, Street Triage and Approved Mental Health Professionals Service,and by the wider network of organisations involved in working locally with suicidal people, as a welcome, new resource that has an important role in the overall provision of resources to prevent suicide.


And people who stayed there said:


“I cannot speak highly enough of my stay at the Place of Calm. I felt that I was given the space when I needed it and completely supported when I needed it too.  I really appreciated not being judged by anyone and all my needs were met during my stay.”


“The staff went above and beyond, if it wasn't for the support of The Place Of Calm I don't know where I would be, it was a life line for me. To have that as an alternative saved my life.”


“The staff were so kind and listened, it was a life saver.”


“If it were not for the place of calm that day I would have taken my own life. I would like to thank all that looked after and supported me during my stay which has led to me feeling so much better.”


Please sign the petition to ask East Sussex Commissioners to continue funding The Place of Calm.


*Sussex Oakleaf is a registered charity providing a range of housing and other services to people living with mental health challenges.


**Recovery Partners is a mental health recovery project working across East Sussex. Recovery Partners is a non-profit organisation that is 100% user-led and run.


If you, or anyone you know, is directly affected by suicide please see the following helpful suicide prevention resources:


http://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find_help.html


http://www.samaritans.org/  or call 116 123 [UK]


For info:  http://recovery-partners.co.uk/how-we-can-help/place-of-calm/

Update #16 years ago
Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our quest to keep The Place of Calm suicide prevention project open. Although this is a very sad time we would like to celebrate all the fantastic achievements over the past two years. Lives have been saved, and changed; awareness of suicide and crisis management has increased and, seeds planted for the future.
Thanks for your support.
Stay in touch? recovery-partners.co.uk
We will continue to promote best practice in suicide prevention and peer support.
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