Scots unite to shatter the silence around suicide
Tuesday, September 11 2007
People in the Borders are being urged to help save lives by bringing suicide out into the open.
Two people die by suicide in Scotland every day and 21 people in the Borders were lost to suicide last year.
To mark Suicide Prevention Week (10-16 September), Choose Life - Scotland’s strategy to prevent suicide - is calling on people in the Borders help break the taboo.
Almost 500 people across Scotland, including radio presenters, personalities and politicians, have already pledged to talk more openly about their feelings and make time to listen to others. They have submitted their photographs to create the beginning of a large scale collage, which was unveiled to the public this week.
Local Choose Life Co-ordinator, Haylis Mackay, is calling on people in the Borders to show their support by submitting their photos to be added to the collage. As support grows, the collage will also grow - and talking about feelings and suicide will cease to be taboo.
“There is a myth that talking about suicidal thoughts makes the problem worse, not better,” said Haylis. “This couldn’t be further from the truth. Having the courage to speak out about our own emotions and to listen sensitively to those seeking support can actually help save lives.”
She continued “I urge anyone who is feeling suicidal to talk to someone they trust or phone a helpline. Or if you are worried that someone you know is feeling suicidal, don’t be afraid to ask them - it could help to save their life.”
Choose Life is working with a range of organisations, community groups and individuals throughout the Borders to help raise awareness of the issue and during Suicide Prevention Week, a host of activities will be taking place locally including:
13 September- safeTALK suicide awareness training for sixth year pupils from Borders secondary schools.
Stop the Pain sessions providing confidential support for those who self harm or have been affected by self harm in:
13 September - Abbey Row, Kelso, 6pm-7pm
20 September - 10 Sime Place Galashiels, 5.30 – 7pm
26 September - Community Project, Hawick, 5.30pm-7pm
To find out more about signing up to the ‘Talk. Listen. Save Lives’ pledge, or for details of what is happening in your area during Suicide Prevention Week, visit www.chooselife.net/spw
Choose Life offers training to anyone wanting to learn more about how to spot the risk of suicide and signpost people to the right help and support. For information about training opportunities in Borders, or for further information and resources, visit www.chooselife.net
If you need to talk about your feelings you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 57 (6pm-2am).
Unified Solutions.