NHS HIGHLAND: Help is available ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day
My work in public health covers a wide range of topics. Some of these can be serious and distressing and suicide is one of those areas.
Every year, World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 to bring attention to this important issue. Suicide is a major public health concern in Highland and across Scotland, but it is often surrounded by silence because of stigma. Things are changing though, and it is important that we keep moving towards a more open, compassionate, and supportive response to someone experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide.
• Sign up for our free newsletters
Suicide can affect anyone and there often isn’t one single reason someone may think about or complete suicide, but multiple overlapping issues. Circumstances such as a job loss, financial crisis, relationship breakdown or being bereaved, particularly by suicide, can affect anyone at any time and impact on our sense of hope for the future. That’s why asking about suicide directly is vital.
We recognise that many of us haven’t said the word “suicide” out loud, so it can be hard starting a conversation around suicide. There can even be some fear that we will give someone the idea if we ask about it. The evidence tells us this is not the case and that asking about suicide, without judgement and with compassion, can give someone space and time to breath and think ‘there may be another way’.
Support and training are available from many sources both connected with NHS, council and voluntary sector. These can be of assistance for people who are thinking about suicide or those wanting to help them. The Highland Prevent Suicide App has been developed. This app signposts to sources of support and includes a safety plan which can be used to help keep themselves or someone else safe.
Being bereaved by suicide can be a risk factor for someone going on to complete suicide themselves. The Suicide Bereavement Service run by Change Mental Health operates in Highland and Argyll and Bute. It is a service available for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. The team at the Suicide Bereavement Service can provide support in the days, weeks, months or even years after a loss to suicide.
There are several options available for people who need help with their mental health. Anyone can contact the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub and for urgent mental health support phone 111 day or night. In life-threatening situations we should phone 999. The Scottish Ambulance Service now have a dedicated Mental Health Car in Inverness available to respond to people who have contacted 999 for a mental health need. Other support available includes that from Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 and the Samaritans on 116 123.
During this week, we can think about how we can all make a difference and how every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a more supportive and understanding society which can respond to people in distress in a more open and compassionate way.
Dr Tim Allison is NHS Highland’s director of public health and policy.
