James: DBI in Action
James: DBI in Action My journey with Penumbra began some seven years ago, in 2018, as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Worker within one of Aberdeen’s Supported Accommodation Services, moving into a role as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner within Supported Living, before making the transition into DBI’s National Team in 2024. Penumbra’s approach
... continue reading.Kayleigh: Turning Pain into Purpose
Kayleigh: Turning Pain into Purpose I began working for Penumbra’s Self-Harm Network Scotland two and a half years ago, after studying at university and working in primary schools. When I first read the job description, I felt extremely intrigued – on one hand, I knew that the topic itself was a very poignant one, but
... continue reading.Rachel: DBI and the Power of Peer
Rachel: DBI and the Power of Peer I am delighted to share my experience delivering Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) with peer support at its core. My journey with Penumbra spans 15 years, focusing on peer-supported services. I began in 2010 as a Service Manager in Aberdeen and later led the DBI pilot service. Since then,
... continue reading.Laura Laing’s Arctic Challenge
Laura Laing’s Arctic Challenge I recently completed the Arctic Challenge, trekking for three days across the Finland wilderness, near the Arctic Circle. It was an amazing experience, though, the planning beforehand, training, and then packing was quite extensive! There were other complications…I am undergoing weekly cancer treatment, which I only started in December. The treatment
... continue reading.Moving into Peer Work
Moving into Peer Work Abigail or Abs, as she likes to be known, came from a hospitality background with a degree in psychology, into peer working, using her lived experience of eating disorder recovery to support others. She has worked at Penumbra for just over a year now. Her original post has ended, and she
... continue reading.Orkney community to benefit from Self-Harm Awareness training
Orkney community to benefit from Self-Harm Awareness training Self-Harm Network Scotland’s Practice Development team will travel to Orkney this week to deliver Self-Harm Awareness training on the island. Louise and Frankee from Penumbra’s national self-harm support service will provide four days of training to 64 professionals in the community that support people who self-harm. Orkney
... continue reading.Penumbra’s international EEEFCom project
Sara Robinson, NHS Deputy Director for Medical Education, appointed Penumbra Chair Sara Robinson has been appointed Chair of the Board for Penumbra Mental Health. Sara is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and is currently the Deputy Director for Medical Education in NHS Lothian. Penumbra Mental Health trustees play an important strategic role in developing the
... continue reading.Sara Robinson, NHS Deputy Director for Medical Education, appointed Penumbra Chair
Sara Robinson, NHS Deputy Director for Medical Education, appointed Penumbra Chair Sara Robinson has been appointed Chair of the Board for Penumbra Mental Health. Sara is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and is currently the Deputy Director for Medical Education in NHS Lothian. Penumbra Mental Health trustees play an important strategic role in developing the
... continue reading.Self-Harm Network Scotland marks 1-year of live chat support service
Self-Harm Network Scotland marks 1-year of live chat support service Since the launch of Self-Harm Network Scotland’s (SHNS) live chat service on World Mental Health Day 2023 (10th October 2023), the SHNS team has had 1,273 supportive conversations on the webchat, with an average chat lasting around 29 minutes. The unique live webchat service can
... continue reading.Our response to the news that 792 people died by suicide in 2023
Our response to the news that 792 people died by suicide in 2023 To media colleagues, please refer to Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting on suicide. Statistics released by NRS show that there were 792 suicides registered in 2023, a 3.9% increase on 2022 (which was up 1.2% on 2021’s data). It’s the highest number of deaths
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