Evaluation of the Place of Calm. Ruth Finlay Project Manager, Public Health

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1 Evaluation of the Place of Calm Ruth Finlay Project Manager, Public Health

2 Local Context East Sussex has a higher than average suicide rate in England Between 2008 and 2013, East Sussex had an average 77 suicides per year, one third of which were of non-east Sussex residents (ESCC 2015). Of these 32% (186 of the 584) took place at Beachy Head, an average of 23 each year. In June 2013 East Sussex Public Health developed an action plan to reduce suicides at Beachy Head Five interrelated strands of work, developed through the Beachy Head Risk Management Group. One of these strands was to Pilot a non-statutory place of safety to address aftercare issues and reduce Section 136 cases - developed into The Place of Calm

3 The Place of Calm The Place of Calm in Eastbourne offers a comfortable, calm setting for up to 24-hours to provide practical and emotional support for people in a suicidal crisis using a Peer Support approach Started as a 12-months pilot project managed by Sussex Oakleaf working in partnership with Recovery Partners Access is by referral following a mental health assessment by qualified practitioners (Street Triage, AMHPS, Eastbourne Psychiatric Liaison)

4 Sussex Oakleaf and Recovery Partners Sussex Oakleaf is a social enterprise that provides a range of support services to people with mental health needs, those with a personality disorder and individuals at risk of homelessness. Recovery partners is a non-profit organisation that is 100% user-led and run. They all have lived experience of mental health challenges and have been trained as Peer Support Specialists

5 Place of Calm interventions A comfortable and welcoming space Welcoming, warm and affirming presence of staff Guests are allowed to be on their own with the knowledge that a staff member was available if needed 1-1 discussions with staff who offered support for practical and emotional needs

6 Evaluating the service Evaluation carried out by Professor Stephen Briggs and his team from the University of East London The evaluation assessed the first nine months of the pilot phase of The Place of Calm, from 22 nd June 2015 to 31 st March 2016 Analysis of the Place of Calm written data for individual guests Interviews with Place of Calm staff Interviews with referrers Interviews and observations of meetings with representatives of organisations and services in the wider network Follow up interviews with guests

7 Characteristics of guests 30 referrals of 26 guests (to 31/03/16) Gender: 14 female/12 male Age: range from Local and out of area Varied suicidal histories: 3 groups Continuous/Intermittent/ Recent Location Referrals Guests Eastbourne 11 9 Sussex 7 5 Beyond Sussex Total Suicidal history Number Continuous 9 Intermittent 6 Recent 11 Total 26

8 Characteristics of guests Continuous group Enduring mental health difficulties, long-term and repeated suicidal experiences Intemittent/Recent groups -Periodic/recent crises

9 Key findings 1. 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. 2. The Place of Calm offers a helpful and distinctive model for people in suicidal crises, which is de-stigmatising and non-medical, and which is highly valued by people who stay there 3. Suicidal feelings and thoughts are reduced for a majority of the guests during the stay, and they also experience an improvement in their sense of well-being.

10 Key Findings (cont.) 4. The Place of Calm is recognised by referrers from Health Services, Street Triage and AMHPS, and by the wider network of local organisations as a welcome, new resource that has an important role in the overall provision of resources to prevent suicide. 5. Access to the Place of Calm is currently restricted by the referral route which requires a prior mental health assessment; there is scope for broadening referral pathways so that more individuals can have access

11 Comments from guests I felt straight away I was with someone who understood I told them things that had been bothering me for years if they [the staff] had not been so nice I would have gone back there [Beachy Head] They [PoC] should be pushed out all over the country It was instrumental in starting a process rolling in my life, for me getting my life better I felt treated like a human being in distress should be treated

12 Referrers views and experiences PoC is a welcome additional resource Experience of referring to PoC is positive Referrers felt constrained by their roles in referring when assessments of risks suggested the need for detention Positive experiences with PoC are leading to more referrals Referrer No. referred Street Triage 11 AMHPS 4 DoP 10 Police 1 Total 26 it is very easy to refer: it is what it says on the tin trying to get resources can be extremely difficult, but that is not the case with PoC, it is a smooth, quick process it is good at doing what it does

13 Of the 30 referrals, the Place of Calm was an alternative to hospital in 17 cases. For the other 13 the Place of Calm filled a gap for individuals who otherwise would not have received an appropriate intervention

14 Counselling Partnership Support for Survivors of Suicide

15 Counselling Partnership the partnership Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA), based in Newhaven responsible for Project management Project development All work with bereaved clients 1-1 for suicidal clients in the West of East Sussex Commissioning reports In partnership with Counselling Plus based in Hastings who deliver 1-1 counselling for suicidal clients in the East of East Sussex

16 Counselling Partnership - the project Established in October year pilot Working with 2 groups of clients Those who are currently suicidal Clients who have been bereaved by suicide What we offer 8 sessions of 1-1 for suicidal clients Group work for bereaved clients

17 Counselling Partnership the benefits Offers coverage across East Sussex Both services have a separate generic counselling service (low cost) for cross referrals A large bank of qualified, experienced counsellors SCDA has multiple other strands many connected with Health and Wellbeing for cross referral Immediate counselling for suicidal clients and access to next monthly group for the bereaved

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20 80% Gender Splits 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Overall Group 1 to 1 Male Female

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22 Developments of project through the pilot Identified that there is a clear demand Changes to 1-1 sessions to address demand Working with other organisations (e.g. SOBS, Rethink) Close links with coroner s officers (earlier referrals of bereaved clients) Family work with those who have attempted suicide Many bereaved clients are also looking for 1-1 support

23 What the clients say It really helped me through a difficult time If I had not gone there I would have killed myself I have more confidence to accept the situation I feel much happier and I m working now Feel less alone Everyone was very friendly, very welcoming, I wasn t judged Enjoyed being listened to without judgement Able to move on by listening to others Friendly open counsellor Support was wonderful

24 How can people refer? Call