What is Flip The Script Friday?
Flip The Script Friday is an event that takes place on a fortnightly basis where we invite organisations/adults onto our website/social media to answer the questions that young people have for them.
Why is it a thing?
This is an opportunity for young people’s voices to be heard and to have their questions answered. But equally, it’s a chance to destigmatize the discussion of mental health, highlight the great work that organisations are doing and to make reaching out for support from them less intimidating.
This week…
We collaborated with, PAPYRUS. Our job is to support people. We often support people who are struggling to keep safe, we do this by working with them to create their very own safety plan that they can access whenever they need it. We often speak to people who are unsure on how to support other people who might be having thoughts of suicide, we advise options on how they can have an open honest conversation about suicide in a non-judgemental way. Because it isn’t always easy for people to phone us we support people over text and email too. We do training also and it is nice to give people an understanding of what they might be able to do if they ever need to support anyone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide. We provide a space for professionals to talk about their experiences too, this might be doctors, police, nurses or anyone.
Q&A Time
We had so many questions sent in by young people to our Instagram @platfform4yp and here are some of the highlights!
What do you think of Flip the Script?
I think any opportunity for people to become aware of services and Have the space to openly ask any questions is positive. Flip the script provides this and can also help others to see answers to questions that they might not have thought of.
What is Papyrus about and what is your job role?
Papyrus is a charity that support people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. We also support people who are concerned about anyone who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide on ways to support them. Also, we offer a safe space for professionals to debrief if they have had any experiences with individuals who are feeling suicide may be, or is an option.
How did you get into the profession you are in?
I started volunteering for Childline, here I found a passion for supporting young people by understanding and acknowledging how they are feeling. This led me to go to going back to education and in to my job as a Suicide prevention adviser for HOPELINEUK.
Why did you choose to work within this profession?
I wanted to work for a service that support people and that is accessible without waiting lists or referrals that can take time. The reason that I wanted to work in my profession is because I want to help people to identify hope that they may not be able to see right now.
Do you enjoy what you do with your work?
My job is not always easy, however I really enjoy supporting people to keep safe and feel I have the best job in the world.
Are there any misconceptions in the work you do?
Definitely, sometimes people might feel unable to open up to our service about having thoughts of suicide in case we phone to get them emergency support. We are here to support people to be able to keep themselves safe and we are completely open and honest about our confidentiality policy. Also, we understand that we can’t fix everything that is going on for people. We are not there to fix everything, we are there to understand how things are and support people to keep themselves safe.
If there is one thing that you would want young people to take away from this experience, what would it be?
That HOPELINEUK are here to support you if you are feeling like you need support to keep safe.
Is there anything you would like to achieve with the profession you're in?
I’m happy in the role I am in, supporting people is what I want to do. I would like to play a part in reducing the stigma around talking about suicide.
What is one piece of advice you would give to young people?
Sometimes it can be really difficult to see a future for yourself, sometimes it can be really difficult to feel any hope. Talking about things can often help you to see things through a different perspective and may even lead to you finding hope. If there is a possibility that talking can help, why not give it a try?
How do you look after your own mental health and well-being?
Self-care is important, doing things you enjoy whether it is reading, writing journals or exercising or anything at all that makes you feel relaxed or brings you enjoyment is good for health and wellbeing.
What changes would you like to see in the future, in terms of your profession?
I would like to see a world where there is no stigma around talking about thoughts of suicide or any struggles people are experiencing.
Has there been anything you have learnt from working with Papyrus?
There is so much I have learned since working for papyrus, one of these things is that talking can help people to keep safe.
If you weren’t working with Papyrus, what would you be?
Hopefully working supporting people for another charity or organisation.
Do you find it hard to separate from your professional job and private life?
We have the training to be able to manage this and to be able to support people in the best way we can.
Are young people reporting that the mental health of their parents has declined during the pandemic? What kind of impact has this had on the young person?
We do sometimes hear that parents are finding things more difficult in these uncertain times. Although in general I think the pandemic has impacted everyone’s mental health in different ways.
Do you have any tips for keeping hopeful in such a uncertain time? I think a lot of us are realising this will have a huge impact on our lives?
It can be really difficult to remain hopeful at the moment, there is hope that the pandemic restrictions are going to get easier. Maybe you could write down in a nice book (get creative) what you are hopeful for. When you have your hopes in front of you they are easier to focus on. Also, every little thing you do to get yourself closer to each hope write or draw it in the book, the more you add to the book the closer you are to your hopes. Also, do all the things you can that brings you any positive emotions.
Has it been different for Papyrus over the last year?
It has been different this last year yes, I think it has been different for everybody. We are doing less face to face training than we would be, we are all trying our best to be thankful that we still get to support people as we are able to go to work. We also try to keep focused and plan for when we are able to get out and about again. The thing that hasn’t changed is that we all talk to each other and support each other I think that is really nice.
That's a wrap! Thank you so much to Chris and South Wales Police for taking the time to do this Q&A and for supporting Platfform4YP
Want to get involved with PAPYRUS! Go to their website at https://www.papyrus-uk.org.
Missed out on asking a question this time? No Worries! Keep an eye on our Instagram @platfform4ypfor the next Flip The Script! Want to ask a specific individual/organisation questions? DM us and we will make it happen! Until next time!