Reducing ligature risk, enhancing safety

Never before has the nation’s mental health been so dominant in the public eye. There seems to be a real shift in perceptions about the stigma previously associated with mental ill health, with a decreasing tendency, for example, for employers and society as a whole to sweep issues under the carpet. More people are willing to discuss their genuine mental health concerns, with mental illness recognised as a genuine illness that needs correct medical care. The whole subject of mental health has garnered something of a high media profile, as a variety of people, including members of the Royal Family, open up about their own personal experiences. Together they are playing their part in raising awareness and dispelling the social stigma, which can only be a positive thing for us all.

As, however, the media drives forward public awareness, it is perhaps ‘behind the scenes’ in mental health in the UK where there is most to be done. Just a few months ago The Mental Health Foundation conducted its ‘Surviving or Thriving?’ survey. Data from the survey suggests that, as a country, our collective mental health is diminishing, with just a small proportion of those questioned – just 13%, reporting living with high quality levels of mental health.

So, while awareness is increasing, and social stigma decreasing, it seems there will be an inevitable rise in the levels of care needed as more people seek support. Recent statistics also show that one in six people will have had a common mental health issue, while one in five adults will have thought about taking their life at some point. Those with a mental health issue are more likely to consider suicide, and this is particularly apparent for inpatients. Indeed, NHS figures show that the number of all unexpected deaths annually among mental health patients in England rose by 21% over the period 2013- 2016, from 1,412 to 1,713. (The DIMHN points out that the long-term trend is a rise in outpatient suicides, and a fall in inpatient suicides – but with an increase in the proportion of the latter by hanging). With the increased pressure on mental health services showing no sign of waning, those that provide vital care are under ever more scrutiny to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both patients/service-users and the staff that care for them.