In conversation with Sue Abbott-Smith

Within Episode 2 we hear from Sue Abbott Smith, a Registered General and Mental Health Nurse with over 20 years' experience working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse. This has included working with hard to reach and difficult to engage young people. Sue’s CAMHS clinical roles have varied and included working with young people presenting in mental health crisis, psychosis, and low mood.

If this content might disturb you or those around you, please reconsider listening or accessing the podcast transcript. 

Within this episode, please note we will be discussing: 

• Children and Young People who may be at risk of Suicide or Self-harm 
• Parents of Children and Young People who may be at risk of Suicide or Self-harm  

It is important to acknowledge that the contents of this podcast might be sensitive or upsetting. Please do take time to consider this prior to listening or consider accessing the transcripts provided, also please do take a break, at any time, if you need to.  If you need support, or to talk to someone, please contact: 

NHS 24: 111 

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 

Samaritans: 116 123 

NHS Education for Scotland have a wide range of resources to support you to take care of your own wellbeing. You can find them here: Taking care of myself 

Access a written Transcript of Episode 2 - In Conversation with Sue Abbott-Smith available on a Sway document. 

The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.

Let us know what you think about our podcast by filling out the Mental Health Nursing Scotland feedback form. Your opinion is valued. We want to grow and develop the channel to interest you, our listeners. 

Resources

Publications:

• Suicide prevention: What does the evidence show for the effectiveness of safety planning for children and young people? – A systematic scoping review 2023
• Suicide prevention: Introducing the Lothian Safekeeping Plan © for parents as a clinical innovation for use alongside safety plans for children and young people 2024

Visit the Mental Health nursing review information on the Scottish Government's website. 

Access monthly updates for the Mental Health Nursing Review 

Guest speaker - Sue Abbott-Smith

Sue is currently working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), NHS Lothian and talks about her research and role in developing the NHS Lothian Safekeeping Plan© to support parents of children and young people with suicidal ideation.   

Sue has also held a two-year part-time post as a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University and continues to be involved in research within the University. Sue is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and supervisor and is currently undertaking her PhD around suicide prevention