HEE KSS Mental Health Programme have officially launched the Practise Hope project, an innovative pilot project working with 30 GP practices across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to strengthen their capacity to help 10-25-year olds struggling with thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
Through training and support, the project promotes culture change so that all staff – from receptionists to GPs – feel competent and confident when engaging with children and young people experiencing suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
Practise Hope’s Patients’ Care Lead, Ann Feloy, who lost her son Oliver to suicide in 2017, leads and believes passionately of the need to ensure primary care practices have the skills, confidence and resources to effectively support children and young people dealing with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. The charity Ann set up, Olly’s Future, is working with us at HEE KSS and Mind to implement Practise Hope. The project is committed to ensuring that the voices of children, young people and their carers are instrumental in shaping plans for improving services.
To find out more about Practise Hope project contact their project manager Via [email protected] or following them on Twitter @PractiseHope