Bridge's anti-suicide messages of hope
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
VOLUNTEERS have pinned dozens of notes to the Kessock Bridge in a bid to make anyone considering taking their own life stop and think.
Inspired by a similar initiative in Sunderland, the messages have been written by volunteers with the Inverness-based Mikeysline charity and comes as NHS Highland prepares to consider a comprehensive new report on establishing a new multi-agency suicide prevention group.
The notes carry the message: "Whatever you think, the world’s a better place with you in it," as well as other supportive words of comfort and contact details for the charity, which was set up as a text helpline following the suicides of two young friends in Inverness.
It also now operates the Hive drop-in facility in the city centre.
Manager Stephen Reid said the initiative, which he plans to make a monthly event, will hopefully provide a glimmer of hope to those who need it most.
"The sad fact is that this is not going to prevent every suicide," he admitted.
"There are some cases where people are in such a dark place that this will make no difference." But he added: "Hopefully in a lot of cases it will make people who see no other option think again.
"We know it doesn’t solve everything but what it does do is intervene in that moment of crisis.
"Sometimes it is enough to make people stop and think. It can distract them from what they are intending to do and give them a moment to reflect."
MORE must be done to reduce the stigma around suicide and co-ordinate activity across different agencies in a bid to drive down the rates of people taking their own lives in the Highlands.
Those are among the recommendations of a report to be considered by the board of NHS Highland at a meeting next week.
Drawing together existing data and learning from other parts of the country the comprehensive 120-plus page report has been prepared to support and direct the formation of a new strategic action plan for suicide prevention.
Calling for men and young people to be prioritised, it states: "Suicide is an inequalities issue, with nearly three times as many deaths by suicide occurring in those living in our most deprived areas.
"Suicide rates are also higher in more remote areas compared to more accessible areas.
"Approximately 60 per cent of Highland’s population lives in remote areas.
"In Scotland and in Highland men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women."
Despite this it also says that identical proportions of men and women across rural Scotland report having suicidal thoughts and feelings.
"Although most suicides in Scotland and Highland occur in middle age, suicide is the leading cause of death in those aged 15-24," it continues.
"Highland’s suicide rate for this age group is also higher than the Scottish average, but not statistically significantly so.
"Of those groups for which prevalence data was available the risk groups which were most prevalent in NHS Highland were: people who had a problem with drinking alcohol, unpaid carers, individuals with nationality other than British and farmers."
The rate of suicide in the north Highlands is 18 per 100,000 according to the report, compared with 14.5 per 100,000 across Scotland as a whole.
The report adds: "Suicides have a substantial impact on the families and communities they leave behind and these individuals are themselves at a higher risk of suicide."
It suggests new models of training are needed and recommends that options for expanding training within frontline services are considered.
"Multi-agency working, widespread suicide prevention training and awareness raising are considered the bedrock of suicide prevention," it states.
Stephen Reid, manager of the Inverness-based Mikeysline suicide prevention charity welcomed the report as a sign that NHS Highland is committed to tackling the issue of suicide while believing there will always be a part to play for organisations like his, particularly given the pressures the health board is under on a range of fronts.
"It’s something that needs to be done," he said. "It’s great to see that they are keeping up to date. However, the NHS are struggling and that’s where I think organisations like ourselves and Samaritans come in. We can help to take some of the load off them.
"What groups like ourselves and Samaritans need to do is identify gaps in the service where we can help."
Among other recommendations made in the report in terms of developing a prevention strategy is a call for senior staff leadership within individual occupational groups to support a "positive workplace culture" towards mental health.
It also suggests monitoring and potential action in terms of "established locations of concern" which are known to attract numbers of suicides, with consideration to be given to active surveillance of those locations.
Mr Reid said it is a continuing fight to tackle the issue of suicide, but that every life that is saved makes it all worthwhile.
"It’s an ongoing battle," he said. "I saw a quote which said ‘helping one person may not change the world, but it could change the world for that one person.’
"That really rang true."
