PRACTICAL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP PEOPLE
A SUICIDE prevention campaign is calling for Glasgow Times readers to sign up and take action.
United To Prevent Suicide is Scotland’s suicide prevention movement, launched in September last year.
So far, more than 2000 people have signed up and pledged to learn how to help people in crisis.
But the movement needs as many supporters as possible to help make a difference.
United To Prevent Suicide social movement manager Kirstie Cusick said: “United To Prevent Suicide is a way to bring people together from across Scotland, including Glasgow, so that we all have the confidence to talk about suicide and be confident to be able to connect someone to the right support, when needed.
“We are united in a shared belief that each and every one of us has a role to play in preventing suicide.
“When you join the social movement for change you will receive a suicide prevention pack loaded with information on how to talk about suicide, how best to listen and support someone when
they are feeling suicidal, and understand the myths surrounding suicide.
“Together we can save lives, so please take action today by signing up to the movement.”
This work is overseen by the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG), which is responsible for delivering the Scottish Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan, Every Life Matters.
It comes as the number of people who died by suicide rose in 2019.
Among its aims, the movement intends to:
• Build a social movement of people with a shared belief in preventing suicide.
• Improve knowledge and skills in suicide prevention with the development of new learning resources, available to everyone.
• Improve the approach to those bereaved by suicide through the development of a new dedicated service.
• Use digital technology to improve suicide prevention.
• Create a new approach to crisis care for those of us who experience suicidal thoughts.