Suicide Prevention Week 10 – 16 September
Police Scotland working in partnership with NHS Health Scotland are supporting Suicide Prevention Week as we know by working together we can all help to prevent suicide.
Suicide is a major public health issue worldwide, the impact of which is devastating, economically, psychologically and emotionally, and is felt throughout communities everywhere. On average 2 people die by suicide every day in Scotland. This is a shocking statistic as suicide is preventable.
In support of the Scottish Governments Suicide Prevention Action Plan, Police Scotland has produced its first ever Suicide Prevention Guidance earlier this year, aimed at enhancing the knowledge of police officers and staff on suicide prevention, enabling them to offer some form of crisis intervention to individuals who experience immediate and often short term physical, emotional or behavioural distress.
Our police officers and staff play a crucial role in preventing suicide as they are regularly the first point of contact for people in distress, in need of medical or psychiatric assistance or as a result of an individual’s actions.
However, everyone in our community can play an important role in tackling suicide by being alert to the warning signs of suicide in people close to them. If you’re worried about someone, such as a friend, family member or workmate, asking them directly about their feelings can help to save their life.
Signs of suicide can be difficult to spot, but you should take all signs of distress seriously, even if it seems a person is living a normal life. If it feels right, asking a person if they are thinking about suicide won’t put the thought in their head if it wasn’t there before, but it can be a big relief for them to be able to say, ‘Yes, I am’ and acknowledge they need help.For help and advice for you or the person you’re worried about, call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans on 116 123.
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