Each year, Suicide Prevention Day is observed on 10 September. Throughout this week the Health Improvement Team will be linking in with activities as well as sharing advice and resources.
World Suicide Prevention Day
Each year, Suicide Prevention Day is observed on 10 September. The aim is to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. The theme for this year is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Increasing our confidence to talk about suicide is one way which we can start to shift from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. The day is a chance for us all to come together, raise awareness, and share resources and support those who may be struggling to cope.
In the run up to the day in Shetland, two ASIST courses (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) were delivered by Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).
ASIST is a suicide first aid training course, delivered during a two-day practical workshop. It aims to enable helpers to become more willing, ready, and able to recognise and intervene to help someone at risk of suicide. These courses were funded by Mind Your Head and Shetland Islands Council with 46 people in the Shetland community attending. Anouska Civico, CEO of Mind Your Head: said ‘The running of ASIST courses in Shetland last week has shown great development, with agencies working together to ensure that the training is accessible to all. This training has helped the participants to feel more skilled and able to have what are difficult conversations around suicide and prevention.”
In Scotland we know that up to an estimated 1 in 20 people are thinking about suicide at any one time. Nicola Balfour, NHS Shetland Health Improvement Team Lead said: “We know that having thoughts of suicide is common in Scotland. We value taking part in promoting and supporting World Suicide Prevention Day. It provides us with a dedicated space that is recognised nationally to have conversations and support those who are living with thoughts of suicide as well as those who have been affected. Suicide Prevention Day is every day, and this week we will be using the national awareness day to promote resources and the support that is available to anyone at any time. We want to take the time to remember those in our community, think about those affected, and support each other.”
Mind Your Head CEO, Anouska Civico added: “Someone recently said to me that the death of a loved one is difficult but losing someone who chose to take their own life is on another level. This week marks Suicide Prevention Awareness week and like other years, the week will be extremely raw for many people living in Shetland. Shetland has felt the loss of these individuals and is still grieving and to not acknowledge that today would be unfair to those affected.”
Throughout this week the NHS Shetland Health Improvement Team will be linking in with activities as well as sharing a range of advice and support information. These will be promoted via the Healthy Shetland website and their social media.
If you need someone to talk to about how you are feeling now, please visit www.healthyshetland.com/signposting-to-support-services/
Further local support and information can be found at www.mindyourhead.org.uk
Scottish Mental Health support and information can be accessed at www.samh.org.uk
Samaritans is a 24-hour helpline offering emotional support for anyone feeling down, distressed or struggling to cope. Call them on 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org