Time Space Compassion - supporting people experiencing suicidal crisis: introductory guide

2. What is Time Space Compassion?

"If you work with people, this is for you."

(practitioner)

Time Space Compassion is about securing better outcomes for people experiencing suicidal crisis. It does this by focusing on people’s experience, human connection and relationships, offering a shared language, resources, and ways to connect and take action together.

It is one part of a national programme, aiming to maximise the impact of national and local action to reduce deaths by suicide in Scotland. You can find out more about this in Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan. This guide shares the strategy’s vision and guiding principles. It also links to wider work to:

• ensure 24/7 crisis support is available to everyone, including children and young people^[xi]
• apply quality standards^[xii], service specifications^[xiii], and other ways of working that put people at the centre of what we do and ensure they get the support and resources that are right for them^xiv
• look after the emotional and psychological wellbeing of people who care for and support others ^xv

Time Space Compassion builds on the Time Space Compassion – three simple words, one big difference report and promotes the principles of trauma-informed practice underpinning the National Trauma Training Programme, as well as a Human Rights-based approach to suicidal crisis support.

The aim of this Guide is to support action and promote a culture in Scotland where we all:

• talk about and actively value what it takes to offer Time Space Compassion
• learn and take action together when it’s possible to achieve better outcomes that way
• recognise and build on what’s strong, making connections that support trusting relationships and positive change

Time Space Compassion focuses on lived and living experience of suicidal crisis, including perspectives of people caring for friends and family and those providing support.^[1] Special thanks go to the Lived Experience Panel and Youth Advisory Group supporting Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan, members of the Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group, United To Prevent Suicide, and all who have contributed. People often see potential to take the Time Space Compassion approach into wider work and activity. This guide invites you to focus on what you can do to support better outcomes for people experiencing suicidal crisis, and to consider the part Time Space Compassion could play in creating hope, connection, and action in everything you do.

"People might say, what’s new in this? It’s not new. It’s core to what we do as mental health nurses and it’s what people tell us matters most in their experience of care.

But evidence shows there’s a gap between our plans and people’s experience. This is a timely reminder to focus on what people tell us matters, their experience of what we do and removing the barriers that can get in the way."

(senior nurse)

This guide includes descriptions of the Time Space Compassion principles, the underpinning values, ideas for action, alongside links to practical resources and stories. The content is based on practice and ideas from a wide range of people and places. For some readers, these will be familiar or even standard practice. Others have described it as the first time they have seen how they work written down systematically in one place. This guide aims to support both new insights and experienced reflection that builds on strengths, addresses barriers and supports ongoing and new action. Pause and reflect prompts are provided to support personal reflection, supervision conversations, continuous professional development, group discussions and action.

This can involve changing what we’re already doing, to:

Do less (limiting)

Putting systems first

Do more (enabling)

Putting people and relationships first

Do less (limiting)

Only assessing and treating

Do more (enabling)

Listening, planning and taking action together

Do less (limiting)

One size fits all

Do more (enabling)

Tailoring your approach, reflecting diversity and culture

Do less (limiting)

Making decisions for people

Do more (enabling)

Exploring choices and making decisions together

Do less (limiting)

Only focusing on problems and immediate solutions

Do more (enabling)

Understanding people’s lives, their needs and hopes

Do less (limiting)

Only focusing on risk

Do more (enabling)

Using psychosocial^[xxvi] assessment and safety planning to support people

Do less (limiting)

Gatekeeping and stepped access to support

Do more (enabling)

Connecting people with the mix of support they need