Leith-based charity Strange Town returns this October with their acclaimed play ‘HER’ a bold and urgent performance about consent, gender inequality, and the pressures young people face today.
Established in 2008 by Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, Strange Town has spent 17 years creating life-changing arts experiences for young people across Edinburgh.
Long before the groundbreaking series Adolescence hit screens, Strange Town was already producing daring, original theatre in schools, giving pupils their first-ever experience of live performance while opening conversations about difficult topics such as knife crime, mental health, and social pressures.
HER, written by Jennifer Adam and directed by Steve Small, follows HIM and HER, childhood friends who have grown apart by the age of 17.
Loosely reconnecting at high school, they confront the challenges of teenage life, gender inequality, and the truth about consent. Through bold, honest storytelling, the play asks: how can you be the change you want to see in the world when it feels like the world is working against you?
‘This is such an important play — all parents, grandparents, and really anyone who wants to understand the challenges young people face today needs to see it, urgently. Our young people are navigating a world that many older people are completely unaware of and unprepared for.
‘Watching this performance helped me start conversations at home that I wouldn’t have known how to begin, and I am incredibly grateful for that.” — Audience Member
Open to audiences aged 14+, HER runs for two nights: Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October at 7pm at the Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED
Strange Town has been hit by the well publicised funding cuts imposed by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), leaving the future of its Touring Company — which brings bold, original theatre into schools across the city — under threat.
The charity depends on fundraising to sustain accessible arts opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out.
Local people and businesses who want to help protect this vital work are encouraged to donate online or get in touch to explore other ways of support.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur says a fall in the number of probable suicides last year makes him more determined to continue expanding and improving prevention work.
Official statistics from National Records of Scotland show the number of probable suicides in 2024 was 704 – a decrease of 11% compared to 2023 and the lowest number since 2017.
Visiting The Neuk mental health crisis centre in Perth, Mr Arthur said: “These figures remind us of how vital it is to support those who are struggling with their mental health.
“Every person lost to suicide is someone’s loved one and when someone takes their own life, the impact on everyone around them is devastating. My sympathy is with all those affected by the loss of a family member or friend through suicide.
“The decline in the number of probable suicides is encouraging, but we will not be complacent. Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age, who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need.
“Together with COSLA and our partners, Suicide Prevention Scotland, we are driving forward our 10-year Suicide Prevention Strategy to deliver on our ambition to reduce suicide deaths in Scotland.
“At its heart is tackling the underlying factors and inequalities which cause suicide and supporting people most at risk including those living in poverty, middle aged men and those in rural areas.
“We increased our investment in suicide prevention to £2.8 million for the current financial year, meeting our commitment to double the suicide prevention budget in the current parliamentary term.
“We are committed to building a Scotland where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. We will continue to listen, learn, and act – guided by evidence and compassion.”
Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said: “Behind these statistics are individuals, families and communities deeply impacted by suicide.
“Local Government and our partners have a vital role in improving mental health and wellbeing across Scotland. We’re committed to enhancing our ongoing suicide prevention efforts to create conditions where no one feels they must take their own life.
“COSLA will continue working with the Scottish Government to deliver our joint ‘Creating Hope Together’ strategy. This includes tackling inequality across all public services – from schools and workplaces to community services.”
Wendy Given, Chief Operational Officer at The Neuk, said: “At The Neuk, we see the ripple effects of suicide every day and we are here to provide a safe, compassionate space where people in crisis are listened to, supported, and shown compassion.
“Services like ours must remain visible, valued, and sustainable, so that hope and connection are always within reach.”
The Neuk’s lead wellbeing mentor Louise McQueen said: “Working at The Neuk is more than a job, it’s being part of a community where every conversation can change a life.
“I’ve seen people walk through our doors at their lowest point and leave with hope. Being able to listen, connect, and support someone in that moment of crisis is a privilege, and it reminds me every day why this place matters.”
Anyone affected by these issues can access support from the following services:
The 10th of September 2025 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and Samaritans Scotland is urging people across Scotland to show they care, interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts, and help save a life.
To mark the day, iconic buildings across Scotland will light up green to raise awareness of Samaritans and the help available to people struggling with suicidal thoughts. In Edinburgh, the striking Balmoral Hotel will light its clock tower green, whilst in Glasgow the Science Centre will also be illuminated. Dundee’s Discovery Point will also light up green, and further north, Shetland’s Lerwick Town Hall will also be lit in the charity’s well-known colour.
The message to people in Scotland is that suicide is not inevitable. An interruption could be a face-to-face conversation, a phone call, text or any other way of connecting with someone when they’re experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Research released by Samaritans this year indicated that over half of adults in Scotland (68%) would appreciate someone check offering words of support if they were struggling to cope. However, nearly half of the respondents in Scotland (38%) admitted avoiding initiating a conversation with someone who didn’t seem okay. For some, they were worried they’d say the wrong thing. For others, they worried their help wouldn’t be welcomed.
To help people feel empowered to initiate a conversation with someone who may be feeling suicidal, Samaritans has put together a guide on how to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts with simple tips and advice, led by those with lived and living experience. You can find the guide here. In the guide, people can find ways to begin a conversation, how to be there for someone in the moment, how to listen without judgement, and how to help the person take their mind off how they’re feeling.
Many people may feel uncomfortable asking someone outright if they are having suicidal thoughts. Samaritans is encouraging people not to be afraid to ask the question, or of using the word ‘suicide’, as this gives people permission to open up. The charity has said that talking about suicide doesn’t have to be frightening, it shows that you care and gives the person space to share how they’re feeling.
Whilst it can be a difficult topic, you don’t have to be an expert or know the exact ‘right’ thing to say. Being there and showing that you care can make all the difference. Listen with empathy and without judgement to help the person open up about how they’re feeling, and don’t be afraid to ask someone if they’re feeling suicidal.
Representatives from Samaritans Scotland’s Lived Experience Advisory Group said: “If you think someone is struggling, even a stranger, it’s okay to reach out. A simple question like ‘are you okay?’ can be an interruption that saves a life.
“Even a small moment of connection can bring hope. That moment whispers: wait, stay, breathe.”
Danielle Rowley, Head of Policy and Communications at Samaritans Scotland, said: “It’s so important that we talk about suicide in order to prevent suicide, even though it can be challenging to approach and difficult to know what to say.
We want to encourage people to feel confident and safe speaking about suicide, and not to be afraid of using the word. If you are worried about someone, asking them if they feel suicidal almost gives permission for them to talk about it too. By allowing people to talk about how they really feel, we can help to save lives.”
Samaritans offers a free and confidential helpline for those in crisis and struggling to cope. If you’re suicidal or struggling to cope, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123.
More information about the campaign can be found on our webpage here.
Self-Harm Network Scotland’s (SHNS) latest Impact Report has been published, which contains key information about how the self-harm support service has helped people during April 2024 – March 2025.
Anyone in need of self-harm support in Scotland (aged 12 and over) can refer themselves to the service’s one-to-one support sessions via the Contact Us page on their website. Support is provided remotely by Peer Practitioners, who all have their own lived experience of self-harm.
212 people received one-to-one support during April 24 – March 25, with a total of 1,805 one-to-one support sessions taking place, averaging seven to eight sessions per supported person. Almost two thirds (62%) of referrals that were received were for people aged 30 or under. Feedback from those who exited one-to-one support shows that all respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the service was trustworthy and reliable.
Dee, from Helensburgh, is one of the people who has benefited from Self-Harm Network Scotland’s one-to-one support. She said: “I have been battling with poor mental health and self-harm for over 30 years, but I know that I am not alone.
“I was offered one-to-one support within five days. Me and my Peer Practitioner Isabella had an instant connection, and I immediately felt at ease.”
“I wasn’t talking to someone who had read textbooks. I was talking to someone with personal, lived experience, and a deeper understanding. It was very different to the type of support that I had experienced in the past. I was encouraged every step of the way and was able to turn ideas into my own thing.”
SHNS also helps people in need of more immediate support for their self-harm and distress via an out-of-hours live webchat service, which is available on Self-Harm Network Scotland’s website every evening (6pm – 10pm), seven days a week.
599 support conversations took place on the Live Chat between April 2024 – March 2025.
The most discussed topics on the Live Chat were: Self-Harm (83% of chats), Mental Health (52% of chats), Emotional distress (38% of chats), Suicidal thoughts (26% of chats).
An end of chat survey asks supported people to rate the helpfulness of the chat, with 86% of 198 respondents to the survey rating it as ‘Very helpful’ or ‘Somewhat Helpful.’ Additionally, 55% of respondents reported that they had used the Live Chat before, which suggests that they trust the service and find value in the support they have received.
Self-Harm Strategy
SHNS is part of Penumbra Mental Health, a pioneering charity providing dedicated services for people with mild to serious and enduring mental ill health. SHNS works together with the Scottish Government and COSLA in delivering their Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the world. The action plan prioritises addressing discrimination, reducing stigma around self-harm, and improving support.
Self-Harm Awareness Training
SHNS develop and deliver informative and accessible Self-Harm Awareness training and resources to help improve understanding of self-harm, raise awareness, and reduce stigma.
During 2024/2025, 180 Self-Harm Awareness training sessions were delivered to 2,137 people. This included specific sessions for 67 organisations ranging from local authorities, health boards, education establishments, and a range of third sector organisations.
Self-Harm Awareness training continues to see strong and increasing demand from organisations, delivering to almost 500 more professionals than in the previous year. Participants’ experience of the training remains overwhelmingly positive, with evidence suggesting that the training is helping to increase knowledge and understanding of self-harm.
Our Impact Report shows that ninety-eight percent of people who gave feedback after taking part in Self-Harm Awareness training agreed or strongly agreed that they had a better understanding of where help and support exists for people who self-harm.
Darren Boyd, SHNS Programme Manager,said: “Self-Harm Network Scotland’s latest Impact Report reflects a year of significant change, development, and learning across the service, as we’ve continued to centre lived experience in all that we do.
“The past year has been about creating safer spaces, holding complexity without judgment, and responding to people’s pain with care and consistency.”
“We know that compassionate, person-centred support doesn’t just make a difference — it saves lives. At the core of everything we do is the belief that recovery is possible — and that it should be defined by the individual. It is voices like Dee’s that remind us why we do what we do – and who we do it for.”
Latest figures highlight 146 children waiting more than a year for mental health treatment, says SCSC
For the third consecutive quarter in a row, there has been continued progress on waiting times for children and young people’s mental health care.
From April to June this year, 91.8% of those referred to CAMHS were seen within 18 weeks, according to the latest statistics from Public Health Scotland. This is a slight increase from 91.6% in the previous quarter, and above the national standard of 90%.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “I welcome the continued progress in these services – staff across Scotland are working hard to ensure children and young people are getting the support they need when they need it, and I am grateful for their continued dedication.
“We have exceeded our promise to provide funding for 320 additional staff for CAMHS by 2026, and this will have contributed to the improvements we are seeing.
“However, I am aware there is still more to do to ensure standards are consistent across the country and we are supporting all NHS Boards to meet the standard and continue development in the delivery of CAMHS and all mental health services.”
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling for parity of action and parity of spend as new figures highlight 146 children and young people have been waiting more than a year for mental health treatment in Scotland.
These figures were highlighted in the latest waiting time statistics from Public Health Scotland published today (2nd September), indicating that 146 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending June 2025.1
Additionally, 271 individuals have been waiting for between nine months and a year for treatment.
The figures come out following a Freedom of Information request to NHS Boards that found that in 2024/25, a patient in NHS Highland waited 1189 days – more than three years – for treatment by CAMHS, and in NHS Tayside, a patient has been waiting 1,137 days to start treatment. 2
The Scottish Government’s target, dating back to December 2014, states that 90 per cent of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS.
This comes against the background of a mental health emergency, with an increasing demand on services, exacerbated by the long shadow of the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with overstretched and under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand.
However, it should be noted that despite this greatly increased demand, only 0.82 per cent of the total frontline NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2023/24 financial year, amounting to £134.188 million (real terms). This equates to just 82p in every £100 of the NHS budget. 3
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that 146 children and young people have been waiting over a year for mental health treatment are extremely alarming.
“While the fact that the Scottish Government is meeting its waiting time target is to be welcomed, many children and young people are still waiting years for help, which worsens their mental health and is a sure-fire way to add to their pain.
“What we need is not just parity of esteem between mental health and physical health, it’s parity of action and parity of spend.
“We are facing a mental health emergency, and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living. This is also having a negative impact on classroom behaviour, affecting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.
“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to ensure the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people so that they can get the care and support they need, without lengthy waits.”
In response to today’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services figures, chief executive of Children First Mary Glasgow said: “Today’s figures show the importance of keeping the spotlight on children’s mental health.
“The reduction in waiting times is welcome, but while four months is the target, it is still too long, especially when children are suffering in severe distress.
“By urgently investing in more early help and support the Scottish Government can prevent children reaching a point of emergency.
“Every day our support line and our teams across Scotland hear from children and young people with high levels of worry and anxiety coming to us desperate for help.”
“If you are worried about your child our friendly support line team is here for you on 08000 28 22 33.”
Edinburgh charity U-evolve, which has been supporting young people’s mental health since 2015, will host The Art of Taking Up Space, a three-day exhibition showcasing artwork created and curated by young people across the city.
The free exhibition takes place from 30th September to 2nd October 2025 at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Leith.
Marking U-evolve’s tenth anniversary, the project is the culmination of an 8-week art and wellbeing programme, co-facilitated by the charity’s resident Art Therapist, alongside local artists and art students. Young people have explored their experiences of mental health, trauma, resilience and hope, using creativity as a tool for healing, connection and change.
Alongside the exhibition, U-evolve is partnering with organisations including the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The Ripple, LGBT Youth Scotland, Circle and Craigroyston Community High School to deliver pop-up workshops.
These partnerships aim to open up community spaces, widen access and encourage youth engagement with art as a pathway to improved wellbeing.
Alison Wright, Art Psychotherapist & Development Worker at U-evolve said: “I’m so proud of the young people who’ve taken part in our art therapy workshops.
“Art has given them a way to express feelings they can’t always put into words, and it has opened up space for conversations in a safe, informal way. The work going on display is honest and from the heart and shows how creative support groups, along with plenty of snacks, can support healing and better mental health!”
Susie McIntyre, U-evolve’s CEO added: “Our 2025-28 strategy is all about creating space for young people and places where they feel safe, heard and empowered.
“The Art of Taking Up Space will highlight just how vital these spaces and services are for healing, wellbeing, and engaging young people in therapies that resonate. We can’t wait to welcome visitors from across the city to the exhibition and to share these pieces from our amazing young people.”
A young person who has taken part in the art therapy courses commented: “These sessions have always been so helpful and even life-changing. I don’t know how my life would have been without this support.”
Since opening in 2015, U-evolve has supported around 200 young people annually, delivering more than 1,000 hours of free coaching, counselling and therapeutic services each year.
Based in Leith, the charity works extensively across North Edinburgh and the South East of the city, reaching young people aged 11 to 21, many of whom face significant challenges linked to poverty, inequality and trauma.
The Art of Taking Up Space is part of The Big Ten, U-evolve’s anniversary project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and the event is sponsored by local Leith opticians Cameron Optometry.
The three days will feature several exhibition spaces, a retrospective of U-evolve’s decade of impact and an evening celebratory launch event on 30th September.
Tickets for the launch event, along with more information about U-evolve, are available at www.u-evolve.org.
Problem debt affects many people, and the impact on mental health can’t be ignored. Debt problems can cause anxiety, stress, and sleep problems – and increase the risk of self-harm and suicide.
As well as seeking mental health support, it’s important to get help with debt.
Free, impartial advice is available – and it’s never too late to get help.
Read more about debt and mental health on our website:
We all need a little help from our friends sometimes.
Friendship is a crucial element in protecting our mental health. Our friends can help to keep us grounded, put things in perspective, and manage/navigate life’s challenges.
Talking to friends about your mental health, and supporting a friend with a mental health problem, can be difficult to do.
We have tips on how to start a conversation, offer support, and look after yourself – check them out here: http://bit.ly/3GVqjps
Proposed cuts by the EIJB would effectively end community mental health support in the city. This cannot happen.
We know that early intervention and prevention is key to better outcomes. Removing this funding just wouldn’t make sense: meaning more expensive support and longer waiting times elsewhere.
Stafford Centre and other community mental health services are vital for Edinburgh.
Sign the petition and urge the EIJB to stop these cuts:
Innovative pricing model to boost access to support
A GROWING number of people in Scotland struggling with mental health are being offered access to support thanks to a fairer pricing structure introduced by an innovative community interest company.
Connections Counselling, founded earlier this year by trained counsellor Ian Nicholson-Kapasi, is using a tiered-fee model designed to remove financial barriers and offer accessible counselling to those most in need.
Based in Edinburgh’s Drill Hall, the service has quickly drawn attention for its bold stance on affordability. The tiered system sees clients on lower incomes paying what they can afford, sometimes as little as £1 per session, while clients with greater means may contribute more, helping to subsidise access for others who may not be able to afford the same help.
Ian said: “I set up Connections Counselling to challenge the systemic inequality that exists within mental health services.
“We know the most vulnerable in our society are often least able to afford counselling. People in distress face enough challenges as it is. Lifting financial barriers helps create the space for those seeking change, to take meaningful steps toward helping themselves.”
Ian has drawn from personal experiences and years of training to launch the practice. Every £600 raised through the service guarantees 15 sessions of counselling at £40 per session, which will be offered to those otherwise unable to afford it.
While the core cost is covered, clients are still encouraged to contribute a nominal amount, helping preserve the value of the therapeutic relationship.
He added: “Our tiered system is designed to create fairer access, not just for those who can afford therapy, but for everyone. A higher fee doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the service, but often how a counsellor values their own time or circumstances. That’s not the same as the quality of the relationship.
“For many clients, especially those working through issues of self-worth, this can unintentionally reinforce a power imbalance. Our Tier 1 ‘pay-what-you-can’ model offers an alternative, one that honours client agency and sees the therapeutic relationship as a shared space of respect and care.”
The initiative comes at a time when the NHS is under unprecedented pressure, with wait times for mental health support in some areas stretching over a year.
While CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) remains the standard modality offered through the NHS, Connections Counselling adopts a more holistic approach, incorporating person-centred and psychodynamic therapies to better serve clients working with challenges such as trauma or understanding neurodivergent needs.
Ian explains: “There are incredible people working within the NHS, but the system is under strain, narrowly focused with CBT as a singular modality approach and doesn’t help enough with limited sessions.
“We want to help by offering longer-term, trauma-informed care that allows people to build meaningful therapeutic relationships. That flexibility can be vital in helping someone properly recover.”
Since launching, Connections has seen a growing waiting list for its tier one services. However, limited access to early-stage funding means growth is being restricted at a time when demand is surging.
“We are actively looking to partner with funders and businesses who share our vision of sustainable, accessible mental health care. Even modest donations can make a lasting impact.”
In addition to eliminating upfront cost barriers, the practice has also scrapped the widely used 24-hour cancellation fee, recognising it as a punitive measure that disproportionately impacts clients already in distress.
“Let’s say someone cannot leave the house due to anxiety, crisis, childcare issue or other common life happenings – charging them for a missed appointment reinforces not just a power imbalance but a financial barrier too – one that might be enough to stop someone who really needs access to support, from seeking it altogether. That is not how healing works,” he said.
“Unless a counsellor also offers money back, or a free next session if they (the counsellor) missed one, then they are actually saying to a client that their time is more valuable than the clients. This is not an ethical approach to counselling.”
While still in its preliminary stages, the practice already has ambitions for growth, including peer-support groups for practitioners and potential longer-term expansions into new locations across Edinburgh, Scotland and the UK.
Ian added: “The goal is to build a community of counsellors and clients who support each other. If the model proves successful in Edinburgh, there is no reason we cannot replicate it elsewhere.”
The service is open to referrals and currently accepts clients both online and in-person around the UK. Individuals or organisations interested in supporting the initiative can find more details via the Connections Counselling website.
