Shetland may offer blueprint for reducing Highland suicide rate
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Groups looking to reduce the suicide rate in the Highlands are hoping to learn lessons from Shetland.
That is the hope of the Highland Suicide Prevention Group – a partnership of public bodies and mental health charities working together to make a positive difference.
With the number of "concern for person" incidents in Inverness recently prompting concerns the group's depute chairman Jim McCreath said this week: "We had a meeting with NHS Shetland after that region went from the highest to the lowest suicide rate in the country, and how they did that is by everybody coming together and openly talking about suicide.
"There is a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes in terms of how we deal with the problem, but looking towards Shetland and seeing how we can replicate what they have done is definitely part of that."
At one point the suicide rate in the Shetlands was 40 per cent higher than the Scottish average.
The Highland Suicide Prevention Group includes representatives from the police, NHS Highland and Highland Council as well as charities Mikeysline, the Samaritans and James Support Group.
Patrick Mullery of James Support Group which provides support to those impacted by suicide said: "It's about linking together all the different community organisations and their efforts to have the biggest impact we can."
Sioban Leen of NHS Highland said: "We are looking at best practice and evidence from across the country as well as getting help from Public Health Scotland.
"We are looking at the data but also that lived experience."
If you or someone you know requires urgent help with suicidal thoughts, call:
Samaritans – 116 123 or Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87
Other local helplines and charities are:
Mikeysline - 07786 207755 (Sundays to Thursdays 6-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 7pm-7am)
Ewen’s Room - 0800 689 3317 (Weekdays 5-10pm; Weekends noon-10pm)
James Support Group - 07563 572 471 (24 hour helpline)
