We hold our third successful suicide prevention conference
This month, we proudly held our third annual suicide prevention conference.
We welcomed speakers and attendees to Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield to connect, share and learn around the theme of ‘priority groups in suicide prevention – the national strategy’.
Our speakers included:
Dr Holly Carding on mental health and hormones
Dr Carding has been inspired by the stories of other women to dedicate her career to improving female hormone health. She is committed to initiating conversations about menopause, bridging the knowledge gap among both women and healthcare professionals. By raising awareness and empowering others, she envisions a future in which girls grow up in a society where hormone health is understood and women’s health is prioritised.
Dr Olivia Hendriks on predictors of suicide risk during the menopausal transition
Dr Hendriks is a psychologist and researcher specialising in women’s mental health, with a focus on menopause and suicide risk. She completed her PhD at Liverpool John Moores University, exploring the relationship between hormonal change, depression, and suicidality. She now works as a senior researcher at Newson Global leading and collaborating on research into hormonal health across the female lifespan.
Damian Dawtry on male suicide: causes, context and policy response
Damian is a men’s health and wellbeing advisor working with employers, the NHS and voluntary and community sector organisations to improve men’s health outcomes and engagement. A specialist in men’s health inequalities, he supports services, systems and workforces to develop practical, accessible approaches to improving men’s wellbeing and reducing risk.
Mandie Olofinula on a thematic review of suicide cases
Mandie Olofinlua is a senior public health officer in the health improvement team at Barnsley Council, with a strong focus on public mental health and suicide prevention. Her work centres on using evidence, insight, and collaboration to improve population wellbeing and address health inequalities, helping translate strategy into meaningful, preventative action across local systems.
Tom Fitzsimons
Tom Fitzsimons is a recovering alcoholic whose experience demonstrates resilience and personal transformation. His long-standing openness about mental health has given him deep insight into the value of storytelling as a tool for recovery. He is an author, poet and filmmaker, with his recent work “From Darkness” receiving positive feedback. In his role as a community educator for Change Grow Live, he works to challenge stigma surrounding substance use and mental health.
Chris Lawton on an autistic reflection on suicide prevention
Chris’s professional work is profoundly shaped by his early life in a 1970s Barnsley mining community. His personal journey through childhood deprivation, homelessness, and later experiences with criminality and substance use provides him with a grounded perspective on resilience and inequality. Throughout his life and career, Chris has maintained close connections with those affected by suicide. His presentation focused specifically on the intersection of neurodiversity and mental health crisis.
Alex Feather
Alex Feather is vice chair of the Trust’s poverty response network, a staff network set up to help combat poverty. Alex has been working in the NHS for 20 years in various roles including equality and inclusion. He has lived experience of poverty, unemployment, disabilities, being an unpaid carer and mental health issues.
Jack Taylor on a ‘want to know more’ presentation by Leeds Mind Suicide Bereavement Service
Jack is the Kirklees based suicide bereavement practitioner with Leeds Mind who has been bereaved by suicide twice in his life. He uses his lived experience to support those within the Leeds Mind service.
We were also joined by stallholders Wakefield Samaritans, GASPED Wakefield, Here For You Wakefield and Kirklees, GamCare Leeds, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide West Yorkshire, and ANDYSMANCLUB, who shared resources and information with attendees.
Lead patient safety incident investigator Naomi Sutcliffe said: “This event was all about sharing stories, resources, and hope to make a real difference. It was fantastic to see advocates, professionals, and people who care come together in person to connect, learn, and support each other.
“It’s so important that we all work together to spread awareness to save lives.”
