The Stay Alive app is the first of its kind to offer UK-wide information on where to get help. It has been developed by Brighton-based charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention and digital company Switchplane and is supported by Network Rail and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Stay Alive is a pocket suicide prevention resource whose user is only a few presses away from crisis support, up-to-date resources, guidance and interactive tools to support suicide prevention.

The app is highly customisable: as well as links to services, the app includes a ‘LifeBox’ section where you can upload pictures which remind you why you want to stay alive and a mini-safety plan for use in a crisis. Other features include a myth-busting section about suicide, research-based reasons for living and useful information and strategies about what to do if you have thoughts of suicide.

Chris Brown, Director of Grassroots, said: “Many of us have been affected by suicide in some way, and have some understanding of how important it is for help to be available and accessible when needed. This app literally puts a suicide prevention resource in people’s pockets, making help easier to find in times of need.”

Ian Stevens, Programme Manager (Suicide Prevention), Network Rail: “The rail industry operates through the very heart of communities devastated by suicide and these events impact deeply on our own people too. It is important that we support such communities by doing what we can to address this issue and offering our support to those seeking to affect change within their own neighbourhoods and beyond. We are proud to support this innovative solution which allows people thinking about suicide to find the help they need, day or night, no matter where they may live.”

Emma Wadey, Director of Nursing Standards and Safety at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Suicide is everyone’s business; it devastates so many lives no matter who you are, where you work or where you live. We want to use every method available to us to make Sussex, and beyond, a place where people thinking about suicide are supported and helped in their workplace and their community.”

For further information contact:

Chris Brown, Grassroots Suicide Prevention. Tel: 01273 675764

Email: chris@prevent-suicide.org.uk

App info

App Name: StayAlive

Developers: Grassroots Suicide Prevention, and Switchplane

Launch Date: September 10th 2014

Cost: free

Category: Education, Self-Help, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle & Medical

Platforms: Android, iOS

Download links on Grassroots website, Facebook and Twitter.

World Suicide Prevention Day is led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation. Efforts to prevent suicide have been celebrated on September 10th each year since 2003. In 2014, the theme of the day is ‘Suicide Prevention: One World Connected.’ The theme reflects the fact that connections are important at several levels if we are to combat suicide.

Grassroots Suicide Prevention (www.prevent-suicide.org.uk) is a small charity based in Brighton, UK. Established in 2006, the charity provides mental health and suicide prevention training courses and expertise to both large and small organisations in the South East England region. The charity is involved in local and national strategic suicide prevention work and is working towards Brighton & Hove being designated as an internationally recognised suicide-safer city.

Network Rail (www.networkrail.co.uk) runs, maintains and develops Britain’s rail tracks, signalling, bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 19 key stations.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk) provides NHS mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and prison healthcare services across Sussex, and a developing range of specialist services across the south east of England and beyond.

Switchplane (www.switchplane.com) is a digital agency based in Eastbourne.