Safe Harbour

What is Safe Harbour?

Safe Harbour provides an inclusive safe space for families at risk of self harm, suicide and bereavement by suicide in Milton Keynes. Group sessions support families to build communication between them, to help break down stigma and isolation. Connection in helping each other to understand and developing the ability to speak about how they are feeling and to put coping strategies and safety plans in place. The space also provides an opportunity to meet other families with similar lived experiences. 

What you will gain from attending?

• Build confidence, skills and ability to communicate openly where there is risk of suicide or self-harm, including improving parent-child communication about mental health and wellbeing
• Develop understanding of warning signs, coping strategies and creating actionable safety plans 
• Increase understanding of what professional support is available 
• Share experiences and support the reduction of stigma and isolation with others.

Who are the sessions for?

Safe Harbour is a service for families with adults and young people aged 11+. The sessions support families who are at risk of self harm or suicide and this may mean the family has been bereaved by suicide or there may have been previous episodes of self harm in the family by either the young person or parent/ guardian.  

For most people, self-referral is the simplest way to access our service. You can do this by completing our online referral form on the top right of this page. Simply click on the ‘Refer Myself’ button to open the referral form.

Referrals from other organisations

For some people, a referral from another place is best. This might be a GP, another mental health service, a charity or voluntary organisation or someone from another organisation.

If you are referring someone else, please ensure that they are happy with the referral and that they know it is happening. Please also ensure that you have completed all areas of the form and provided any relevant additional information, such as care plans, risk assessments or similar. Click ‘Refer Someone Else‘ to progress the referral.

Criteria for referral:

• Families with adults and young people 11+ living in Milton Keynes
• At risk of suicide or self harm or bereaved by suicide

More information

If you have any questions about the Safe Harbour service, please find the contact details below:

safeharbour@mind-blmk.org.uk