The Royal College of Psychiatrists has
produced a new leaflet for people who are admitted to Emergency
Departments and who are ‘feeling on the edge’. Health professionals
can give the leaflet to people who are in a state of distress, and
who they believe may be at risk of harming themselves.
The leaflet provides reassurance that there
are people who want to listen, understand and help. It explains
clearly and simply what will happen if a person goes to see a
specialist mental health service, and how to get support. It also
provides a detailed list of support organisations for people who
are distressed, who self-harm or are experiencing suicidal
thoughts.
Dr Alys Cole-King, a consultant liaison
psychiatrist who authored the leaflet, said: "Many people in
emotional distress are not aware of all the excellent support that
is available and accessible. This leaflet is intended to instil
hope in, and compassionately engage with, people who attend the
Emergency Department following self harm or with suicidal thoughts,
and encourages them to stay in hospital to complete their
healthcare journey. It also explains the help that different
support organisations can provide."
The leaflet, Feeling on the edge? Helping
you get through it, has been endorsed by the Royal College of
General Practitioners, Samaritans and CALL Helpline (Wales).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feeling on the edge? Helping you get through it can be
downloaded for free from the College
website.
Single copies of the leaflet are available
free of charge on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope from the
Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1A
8PG. A small charge applies for bulk orders. Contact the Leaflets
Department on 020 7235 2351 or email leaflets@rcpsych.ac.uk.
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127