Number of deaths fall, but no room for complacency
The number people talking their own lives in Renfrewshire has more than halved in the last five years, new figures reveal.
A mental health organisations has hailed the latest stats, but warned there is still much work to be done.
The data shows that in 2016, 16 people took their own lives in the local authority area, compared with 38 in 2011, with improvements put down to increased investment in services.
Rosemary Mullan, a service coordinator with Choose Life, which is a suicide prevention service run by Renfrewshire Council, said: “It is vital that support is available to help families cope with the loss of a loved one to suicide.
“The suicide rate in Renfrewshire has fallen each year since 2011, which highlights the important work being completed, but we recognise the immeasurable distress that the loss of one person can cause to families and local communities.
“Therefore, as part of the Renfrewhire Health and Social Care Partnership, the dedicated Choose Life team works with those affected and aims to create Suicide Safer Communities.
“An integral part of this work is the provision of free training for professionals and community members to ensure they feel confident in responding to someone who may be suicidal.
“This training aims to dispel the myths around suicide, including the idea that talking about suicide will encourage attempts, when, in fact, the opposite is true.
“Discussing thoughts of suicide can be a source of relief and can be key to preventing the immediate danger.
“Those who have lost a loved one to suicide are at an increased risk, so a local Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) group was created in Renfrewshire, which aims to reduce the isolation and distress experienced by those bereaved.
“This group, combined with annual events, such as the memorial tree service at Renfrewshire House and the No Substitute for Life football tournament, ensures that support is available for those who need it and we would encourage anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one to contact us if they need assistance.”
There has been a decrease in the number of men taking their own lives in Renfrewshire over the last 10 years, according to the updated figures from the Information Service Division of the NHS.
Between 2007 and 2011, the number of men taking their own lives was 130, compared with 75 between 2012 and 2016.
However, there has been a marked increase in the number of women committing suicide, from 29 between 2007 and 2011, to 37 between 2012 and 2016.
The picture across Scotland is less promising, with 728 cases of suicide recorded last year, compared with 672 in 2015 — an increase of eight per cent, with males twice as likely to take their own lives a females.
Glasgow had the highest number of suicides last year, at 91 deaths, a significant increase from the year before, when 69 people took their own lives in the city.
In addition, Scotland’s deprived areas had considerably higher suicide rates than wealthier parts.
According to the data, those aged between 45 and 54 accounted for the most deaths of any group.
The suicide rate in Renfrewshire has fallen each year since 2011, which highlights the important work being completed, but we recognise the immeasurable distress the loss of a loved one can cause Rosemary Mullen