To consider a report that provides an overview of the work of the public health team and partners in suicide prevention and specifically reports on the success of the Baton of Hope Torbay.

Public Health Specialist – Rachel Brett, presented the submitted Suicide Prevention and Baton of Hope Torbay report and responded to Members’ questions.

The Suicide Prevention Action Plan focused on three priority areas.  The first priority was making mental health and emotional support accessible to all which includes better promotion of the services that are already available and providing more sustainable mental wellbeing support through the Torbay Community Helpline.  The second priority was to acknowledge and work with Torbay’s risk factors with a particular focus on relationships and creating resources aimed at reducing suicide risks before they occur.  The third priority was to harness passion, commit to collaborate and pool resources to reduce suicides.  The Baton of Hope Tour, which is the UK’s largest suicide prevention campaign gave a structure to do this creatively and well.

The sub-board were shown a video highlighting the Baton of Hope Torbay event, which covered a 14-mile route within Torbay, raising over £5,000 in sponsorship and over £9,000 in ticket sales and donations. 

Work was underway on the One Devon Suicide Prevention Action Plan in collaboration with other authorities, with the aim of the Plan being presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting in March 2026.

Devon-wide activities include, bespoke suicide prevention training for GPs, media engagement, creation of self-harm support training resources, updating the “It’s Okay to Talk About Suicide” Z-Card, and development of a Safety Plan Z-Card.

The Board raised the following questions:

·         was work being undertaken to address the issue of the backlog of data provided by the Coroner’s Office;

·         was support provided to families of an individual who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts;

·         how accessible was the community support helpline for residents and did it operate 24 hours per day similarly to the Samaritans helpline;

·         within the data provided by the Coroner’s Office of deaths by residents from Torbay, was information provided whether the individual was a new or long term resident;

·         was mental health training provided to local taxi drivers in Torbay who may pick up a customer and ask to be driven to a known suicide hot spot; and

·         was the Public Health Team liaising with Talkworks for individuals to be referred to for support.

The following responses were provided:

·         conversations had been held with the Coroner’s Office and there were more staff now in place to assist with reducing the back log to assist with more timely data being provided;

·         the Public Health Team have a training package which was used by local employers within Torbay for their awareness of suicide prevention.  There was hope that through the Baton of Hope event and the new communication channels created that this would provide more awareness and learning opportunities for families and the general public in Torbay;

·         the mental health support operates the same working hours as the community support helpline which was 9 am – 6 pm weekdays with some provision for support on a Saturday.  The helpline was not available 24 hours per day.  Should a member of the public contact the helpline out of hours, they would hear a voicemail message explaining what alternative support was available and be provided with the relevant contact details;

·         the data provided within the Coroner’s report included data for deaths of people who are resident to Torbay;

·         the Public Health Team have created business cards with details of support available, which have been provided to local taxi companies to be kept within taxis for drivers to issue to any passengers they may have concerns about.  There was also a free e-learning course available for taxi drivers for their awareness; and

·         the Public Health Team and the community helpline were aware of Talkworks and the services provided and would signpost an individual to Talkworks for their assistance if appropriate.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note the report and support efforts to improve public mental health and reduce the number of local deaths by suicide; and

2.    that the Chair of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board be requested write to the Chief Coroner to request their attendance at a future meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board.