SHOCK STATISTICS

Youare noton yourown

NHS Lanarkshire say there is a support network in place as they work hard to reduce the number of suicides across the region.

Senior health promotion officer Susan McMorrin said:“Every suicide is a tragedy and each suicide has a significant impact on families and communities and we continue to work with families and others impacted by suicide to better understand what help and support is needed.

“Since the late 1990s, the five-year rolling average for suicide in Lanarkshire has shown a general decline.

“While this is encouraging, we are well aware that a lot of work is still required to help reduce the stigma of mental ill-health and encourage people to seek help if they require support for their mental health.

“As such we continue to work hard to tackle suicide in partnership with both Lanarkshire local authorities, health and social care partnerships and voluntary organisations, such as the Samaritans, and through the Choose Life suicide prevention group.”

Ms McMorrin added: “Recent suicide prevention work in Lanarkshire has focused on tackling the taboo of suicide through initiatives such as the ‘Suicide: Don’t hide it. Talk about it’campaign and promoting telephone support available from the Samaritans, Breathing Space and information on the Lanarkshire mental health website www. elament.org.uk

“We have also utilised the support of local groups and agencies such as schools, clubs, fire, police, the health and social care partnership, community learning and the home school partnership to help raise awareness of the issue.”