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Need for services provided by Highland mental health charity set to grow


By Val Sweeney

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The Hive Centre run by Mikeysline in Inverness.
The Hive Centre run by Mikeysline in Inverness.

A Highland suicide prevention charity has warned its services will be needed more than ever – particularly among young people – as it marks its fifth anniversary with an online candlelit vigil in lockdown.

Mikeysline, which provides a textline service and also has a drop-in centre at the Hive in Academy Street in Inverness, has seen a surge in requests for help since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is currently supporting an average of 37 people a week while support sessions and the callback service provided via the Hive increased 60 per cent in the first six months of this year compared with last year.

It also says there has been a large increase in the proportion of woman now using the services as well as more requests for help from under 18-year-olds.

Against a background of growing suicide rates among the under 24s, it is planning to expand services next year at the Hive to provide drop-in sessions after school and during the day at weekends to support under 18s.

It follows recently-published figures revealing 67 suicides were registered in the Highlands last year – the highest in the region since Public Health Scotland started compiling statistics in 1982.

Donna Smith.
Donna Smith.

Mikeysline chairwoman Donna Smith warned the events of 2020 would continue to impact on people's mental health – particularly younger people – for a long time.

"Mikeysline has come a long way since it opened the textline in 2015 and it has undoubtedly saved lives during that time but there is still much work to do." she said.

"Suicide rates are still on the increase across Scotland, particularly in younger age groups, so we must continue to develop and push for better services to support all of our communities to face the pressures of this ever changing world.

"The year 2020 will have a devastating impact on people’s mental health for some time to come so I would urge everyone to look out for friends, family members and if you think someone is struggling, don’t be afraid to just ask them if they are okay and then to really listen to what they have to say."

The charity would also like to work with schools to develop other services when it is able and is currently exploring how it could take the Hive to other locations.

As part of the anniversary events, an online candlelit vigil will take place this weekend and the charity is also inviting people to contribute photos, poems, stories, artwork for a display on its website.

Tomorrow evening, Ness Bridge will be lit up in Mikeysline colours and Spud the Piper – who played at the candlelit vigil when the charity was launched five years ago – will play at 5pm.

A fundraising cover version of Anyone by American singer Demi Lovato by three keen local singers will also be released this weekend.

In addition, there have been a range of other fundraising events running up to the anniversary including a Movember at Highland Industrial Supplies in which men grew moustaches to raise £25,000.

"We are marking this anniversary in a very different way to what we might have done in normal times but we hope that it allows people to engage in some way, reflect on their own experiences, remember those who have been tragically lost and spare a thought for those who may be struggling at the moment," Mrs Smith said.

"We’d also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the people of the Highlands and beyond for all of their support over the past five years.

"Without that, we could not continue doing what we do."

Related story: Suicide prevention appoints celebrity ambassadors


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