Tag: suicide

Dying from inequality

The suicide rate is three times higher among the poorest Scots, according to a report released today by Samaritans. In the week that Philip Hammond is expected to deliver another austerity Budget, Samaritans are calling for more to be done to tackle inequality.

James Jopling, Executive Director of Samaritans in Scotland, writes:

In 2015, 672 people took their own lives in Scotland. It’s clear however, that some people are unequally bearing this burden.

It is simply not acceptable that the risk of a person taking their own life is substantially increased according to how disadvantaged they may be.

We have made significant progress in Scotland in bringing the suicide rate down. In the ten years from 2002, when the first Choose Life Suicide Prevention Strategy was published, there was an 18 per cent fall in the suicide rate. Yet despite real progress, a significant difference in rates between the most and least deprived people in Scotland persists.

Latest figures for Scotland show that the rate of suicide was three times higher in the most deprived tenth of the population compared to the least deprived tenth.

Increasingly, Samaritans are working with others to benefit those on the margins of society.  We are providing our services in foodbanks, in homeless drop-in centres and other locations where contact from us with people in crisis can play a role in helping them manage the situation they find themselves in.

For the first time, Dying From Inequality sets out exactly what contributes to suicide risk in disadvantaged people and communities. This gives us the vitally important opportunity to galvanise other agencies and decision makers into action. So, we’ll be talking to those who can influence change in housing, stigma, lifestyle behaviours and many of the other factors highlighted in the report. We’ll be talking about Scottish solutions, in a Scottish policy and political context, with key agencies that can help us affect change.

As a starter, we think we need to target local suicide prevention work in areas of deprivation within individual local authorities. We need the forthcoming suicide prevention strategy in Scotland to be joined up with welfare, education, housing and employment policies in Scotland.  When we see large employers downsize or shut down, and local and national government seek to help, let’s make sure that help includes consideration of the mental health of the employees affected during a very difficult period in their lives.

We’ve also previously had targets to train NHS staff in Scotland to recognise and understand individuals who are in distress and may be suicidal, we believe we need this kind of programme to be extended to those agencies who might be dealing with people struggling financially, such as welfare agencies or financial services companies.  An effective and appropriate response could make all the difference.

Because it’s simply not right that so many people struggling with deprivation and poverty across Scotland find taking their own life as the only way out.

Samaritans Dying from inequality report – summary

 

 

Read between the lines and help to prevent suicide

Read between the lines – that’s the message being promoted by the City of Edinburgh Council during National Suicide Prevention Week.

despairTwo lives a day in Scotland are lost to suicide and the awareness week, which runs from today (Monday September 8), reaches out to the people close to those who are at risk.

Events to raise awareness will take place in shopping centres, libraries and neighbourhood offices in a bid to urge Edinburgh residents to help those who may be suicidal. As well as information stalls, a free showing of A Single Man starring Colin Firth is being held at the Filmhouse on Lothian Road on Wednesday (10 September).

The “read between the lines” campaign promotes the message that if you are worried about someone asking them how they feel can help to save their life – even if they say that they are feeling fine.

Activities kicked off at the weekend with the Choose Life Challenge five-a-side football tournament at Gracemount Leisure Centre. A church service for people whose lives have been touched by suicide took place yesterday in the Augustine United Church.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Convener of Health, Social Care and Housing, said: “Talking to someone about suicide can make the difference between life and death and this can bring a real sense of relief to people who are struggling with these thoughts.

“Staff from Health and Social Care are actively involved in the Edinburgh Choose Life Steering Group with partner organisations, which supports the Scottish Government’s suicide prevention strategy.

“If you are worried about someone’s behaviour, please read between the lines and don’t be afraid to broach the subject. There are a number of excellent, professional organisations out there that would be happy to help.”

For help and further advice if you are concerned that someone you know might be at risk, contact Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

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Football tournament kicks off World Suicide Prevention Week

Choose-Life-TournamentTHE recent suicide of the much-loved actor Robin Williams highlighted how suicide can affect anyone. Sport can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, so a five-a-side football tournament will kick off World Suicide Prevention Week in Edinburgh next Saturday (6 September). 

The Choose Life Challenge Cup will run from 9.30am until 12.30pm at Gracemount Leisure Centre on 2 Gracemount Drive with sixteen teams from Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian and Dundee taking part. Among this particpants are two ladies teams from Edinburgh who will be copeting in the tournament for the first time.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will be there to present the trophy and other prizes.

Choose-Life-Tournament2Event organiser John Murphy, a project worker with Scottish charity Health in Mind, believes the Choose Life Challenge Cup is a fantastic event as it offers a comfortable space for guys to get together, reduces isolation and promotes a sense of belonging.

John said: “So many young men find it hard to talk about their feelings and in 2013, there were 795 suicides recorded in Scotland, with the rate for men more than three times that of women.”

John said the event provides a great opportunity for people to find out about the issues and the services available locally. “If there’s someone you know who you think might be considering suicide; ask them and be willing to listen and encourage them to get help – you could help save their life. Alternatively if you are feeling suicidal, don’t hide it; find someone you trust and talk to them.”

The Choose Life Campaign is part of the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland.

The partners supporting the Choose Life Challenge Cup – Lothian Five-a-Side Football Tournament are NHS Lothian, East Lothian Council, The City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian and West Lothian Councils.

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New campaign to help prevent suicides

If you can read between the lines, you can save lives.

That’s the simple message from a new campaign in Edinburgh to mark the start of Suicide Prevention Week (10-16 September). Last year 60 people in the capital took their own lives, leaving a lasting impact on families, friends and communities.

Choose Life – the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland – is tackling the issue of suicide through the ‘Read between the lines’ campaign. The message is that if you’re worried about someone, such as a friend, family member or work colleague, asking them about their feelings may help to save their life.

The campaign acknowledges that signs of suicide can be ambiguous, but encourages people to take all signs of distress seriously, even if the person seems to be living a normal life. Asking a person about what’s troubling them can make a positive difference.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This campaign is about asking people to be alert to any potential warning signs of suicide. You tend to know when someone close to you isn’t quite themselves. So if you notice any changes in their behaviour that worry you – even if the signs come and go – ask them about it.

“Talking can help a person gain clarity about what it is that’s troubling them, and often gives a sense of perspective. Starting a conversation is half the battle. You don’t need to have an answer to their problems – just be there for them, try to listen carefully without judging, and show that you care.

“People often worry about asking someone if they are thinking about suicide but Choose Life advises that raising the subject won’t do this. Instead, it can be a big relief for them to be able to say, ‘yes, I am’ and acknowledge they need help.”

The campaign is aimed at those who are likely to be in greatest contact with people most at risk of suicide – men aged 30-59. Statistics show that around three quarters of suicides have been men in every year since 1990.

Thought-provoking posters will be displayed in a range of community venues as well as in public toilets, and on buses and trains. Choose Life is also making widely available information cards with simple ‘how to help’ steps, and leaflets giving advice on starting conversations about suicide and listening effectively.

Since the launch of Choose Life in 2002, Scotland’s suicide rate has decreased by 17%. Choose Life in Edinburgh has made a key contribution by providing financial support to the Samaritans, funding a service to support people who self-harm and funding research about the particular risks of suicide faced by people with substance misuse issues.

Monday 10 September is also World Suicide Prevention Day.

For help and advice people can call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.