Highland Community Planning Partnership to run dedicated session in Inverness to raise awareness on World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September
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A FREE drop-in and online session to help people struggling with their mental health will be held in Inverness this weekend on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Highland Community Planning Partnership will be running an event at Inverness Library from 10am to 2pm for everyone in need of support for themselves or for someone they know.
Information stands and talks will be available on the day, and people can attend in person or online at highlandmentalwellbeing.scot.nhs.uk.
The chair of the Highland Suicide Prevention Group, Superintendent Jenny Valentine said: “As a group we recognise that every person lost to suicide is a tragedy, for their loved ones, their colleagues, and society as a whole. Research suggests that open and honest communication about mental ill-health helps towards suicide prevention. Conversations have the power to increase awareness and understanding, remind people they are not alone and help break the stigma which can be a barrier for those seeking help."
World Suicide Prevention Day is a date dedicated to raising awareness on mental health and discuss and share practices on how we can create a world where fewer are affected by suicide.
In Highland council area, there were 40 probable deaths by suicide in 2021 compared to 44 in 2020 and 67 in 2019.
The five-year average number of deaths in Highland for 2017-2021 was 51, compared to 40 in 2012-2016.
At any one time, around one in 25 people are contemplating suicide. On average, two people go on to take their own life every day in Scotland. These aren’t just statistics. It’s someone’s family, their friends, and their work colleagues.
The day underlines the importance of reaching out to someone, either a family member, a friend, or a colleague.
In 2019, the Highland Community Planning Partnership launched the Prevent Suicide Highland Smartphone App, which provides guidance for members of the public as to what they can do to help someone experiencing mental distress. It can be downloaded from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for free.
More information is available on the NHS Inform website, and support can be found calling the following helplines:
● Samaritans - 116 123 (calls are free and do not show on a phone bill)
● Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87 (Monday to Thursday 6pm – 2am; Friday 6pm to Monday 6am)
● MikeysLine - 07786 207755 (Sunday to Thursday 6pm - 10pm, Friday to Saturday 7pm - 7am)
● Ewen’s Room - 0800 689 3317 (Weekdays 5pm - 10pm; Weekends 12 noon - 10pm)
● James Support group - 07563 572 471 (24-hour helpline)
