Some of Hounslow's Public Health priorities

We were pleased to welcome two speakers from the Public Health team at L.B Hounslow LBH), Catherine Williams and Janine Fitzgerald. They were delivering talks on two separate projects forming part of LBH’s public health programme. 

Catherine spoke on the Suicide Prevention Strategy now introduced by LBH following its concern about thenumber of suicides in the borough. Hounslow currently has the seventh highest suicide rate in London (down from second highest).There were 16 suicides in 2021 and the concern is that figures may  rise due to cost of living crisis, debt and increased mental health issues following the pandemic.

Nationally three times as many men take their lives as women and middle aged men are most at risk. In Hounslow men aged 50-59 years are most at risk followed by older  men aged 70-79 years. Women aged 80+ years are most at risk, followed by women aged 20-29 years.

Catherine told us of the introduction of a new crisis helpline for over 18s, the Self Space Helpline operated by MIND, offering emotional support and advice. Callers will be connected to services that aim to improve their mental wellbeing. It is open 11am-11pm every day.

She also talked about the Suicide Bereavement Support Service which offers emotional support and practical help to the families and friends of those bereaved by suicide. Suicide Awareness Training is now available from Zero Suicide Alliance to those who need or would benefit from it if dealing with someone struggling with their mental health.

Catherine explained that the concerns of the Public Health Team cover so many areas leading to struggles with mental health. These include social isolation, loneliness, financial stress, fear of losing safe accommodation, bullying, family separation and physical and mental illness. Experiencing any of these that can make some residents vulnerable. This may lead them to self-harm and/or the attempt to end their own lives. She also added referral to the Good Thinking Website, and LBH’s own Suicide Prevention Web Page. They are working hard to try to establish the specific triggers that lead to a suicide attempt.

We then heard from Janine, who has responsibility for LBH’s Falls Prevention Project, an initial two year project which Janine leads. 

Each year, around one in three people over the age of 65 has a fall resulting in significant injury. Falls are not an inevitable part of growing older, and there are lots of things you can do to help reduce the risk of falling. This includes speaking to your pharmacist about the medicines you are taking, making simple changes to the home environment, and doing exercises to improve strength and balance. Janine explained that the Hounslow Falls Prevention and Bone Health Service aim to reduce the rate and risk of falls and fragility fractures amongst Hounslow adults, and to improve the health and mobility of older people in order to that they may sustain their independence. The service is designed for people aged 65+ who are felt to be at risk or are afraid of falling or have had occasional or recurrent falls. It aims to work preventatively, helping people to understand what makes them more likely to fall and how to reduce their risk of falling. It is managed from the Heart of Hounslow Health Centre in the Bath Road, and advice can be sought without referral from a GP or other health professional. Janine explained that problems often arise because the statistical data that is recorded, by a variety of different agencies, does not necessarily record information is a consistent way.

There was plenty of discussion with Catherine and Janine, not least because we had two public health professionals in our audience. There was plenty of benefit drawn from the conversations, both for our audience and the two speakers, so thank you very much Catherine and Janine for your contributions.