New app to tackle suicide

A TECH-based guide to supporting people with suicidal t houghts has been refreshed and relaunched i n time for Suicide Prevention Week.

The locally developed Suicide? Help! app contains contact details of local and national organisations, information about suicide, a guide to helping those in distress and a template for creating a safety plan

Starting today, Suicide Prevention Week aims to highlight the issues and break down barriers to giving and receiving help.

As well as the refreshed app, with updated contact details and t he l atest information, Suicide Prevention Week will see a number of l ocal events taking place.

These include a weeklong drop-in stall at Ninewells Hospital and an information point in the Overgate Shopping Centre on Friday.

Backed by par tners including NHS Tayside and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the app can be a source of support for someone with thoughts of suicide or someone trying to help them.

Research by the Tayside Multi Agency Suicide Review Group shows most suicides take place in the home and that the person will probably not be known to mental health services.

The Suicide? Help! app can be downloaded free from app stores, by visiting suicidehelp.co.uk, calling NHS 24 on 111, Samaritans on 116 123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587, or visiting breathingspacescotland.co.uk.