TO support this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day 2023 Birmingham and Solihull councils are launching the Orange Button Scheme.
The Orange Button Community Scheme is a way of identifying people that have undertaken suicide prevention training.
Wearing the button indicates they have the confidence to talk to others about suicide.
It is a way of showing people in your community who are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried that somebody else might be, that you are comfortable to say/hear the word suicide and can listen without judgement.
Coun Tony Dicicco, cabinet member for public health at Solihull Council, said: “It’s great to see the Orange Button scheme being launched in Solihull.
“Statistics show that over recent years less than a third of people who took their own lives had contact with mental health services in the 12 months before their death. This shows there is a real need for all of us to learn active listening skills and know where to find information to share.
“Schemes like the Orange Button can help support those suffering in silence. The more we can break the stigma around mental health and empower people to speak openly and honestly about their feelings, the better for everyone.
“The training on offer is invaluable and could genuinely save someone’s life. I would urge anyone interested to check out our Orange Button webpage and sign up.”
Hundreds of people receive mental health training each year – for example through workplace schemes.
The Orange Button Scheme now allows a member of the public to identify who has been trained, and can be approached for advice and support.
Dr Fabida Aria, Medical Director and Consultant psychiatrist at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Orange Button scheme being developed across Birmingham and Solihull. I truly believe anyone can help prevent suicides and this scheme will help us save more lives.
“Seeing colleagues from across various sectors stepping forward to take up some brief training, and then offering themselves up for a conversation, is truly inspiring and testament to a commitment to make mental health and wellbeing everyone’s business”.
To become an Orange Button badge holder people need to have completed the Quality Assured training course.
Visit https://www.solihull.gov.uk/orange-button-scheme for details on the scheme and how to access the training.
