Action call to tackle higher than average suicide rates in the Highlands when compared with the rest of Scotland
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A former mental health worker is calling for action to tackle the consistently higher than average suicide rate in the Highlands when compared to Scotland as a whole.
It follows the annual report to the NHS Highland board by Dr Tim Allison where he stated that a greater focus was needed on improving mental health and wellbeing to reduce suicide rates in the region.
Tina Jordan from Errogie, who previously worked as an independent mental health advocacy worker and a collective advocacy worker in Argyll and Bute, said she feared nothing would change.
She claimed that there was no evidence over the past year that the Highland Health Board had used the results of 2020’s Psychiatric Emergency Plans (PEP) report as a benchmark to improve its mental health services – especially for people experiencing a mental health crisis and thoughts of suicide.
“In my opinion, if the standards of care and treatment implied in the survey of the PEP report are met in mental health services, patients and their carers would receive a good basic level of services with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” she added.
Ms Jordan said Dr. Allison’s annual report highlighted the level of suicide rates across Highland and that the results of the PEP report could be used as an indication where improvements must be made.
She added: “The questionnaire used in the PEP survey should be used as a template for the improvement of statutory crisis services in the Highland area and a panel of people with lived experience should be set up to ensure progress is made, targets are met and managers are held to account.
“People want to see improvements to mental health services – not money spent on more reports and consultations.
“The PEP report could be used by Highland Health Board as a template towards achieving better mental health services in Highland that includes help and support for the prevention of mental health crises and reduction in suicide numbers, along with improvements towards a culture of greater respect and dignity for patients, carers and staff.
“I also believe that if the improvements to mental health services were made, more staff would be attracted to work across the area.”
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland’s director of public health, said: “I hope that the issues highlighted in the report help to refocus our attention on the importance of improving mental health and wellbeing in our communities.
“I also hope the report challenges organisations, communities and individuals to act, and it is a stimulus for positive change.
“We all have a role to play in challenging stigma attached to mental health and we must work together to reduce deaths from suicide and improve support for those in crisis, as well as those bereaved by suicide.
“I would encourage everyone who reads the report to consider what it means for you, and I encourage feedback on the report and recommendations within it.”
Patrick Mullery, who runs the Cromarty-based mental health charity James Support Group, said: “There needs to be a shake-up across the NHS to deal with poor mental health and cases of suicidal thoughts wherever they are presented.”
He said mental health cases were “through the roof”, and physical ailment cases were suffering from extended waiting lists due to Covid priorities.
He added there is only so much groups like his could do.
