Samaritans urge you to talk to each other
To mark Friday’s World Suicide Prevention Day, Lanarkshire Samaritans are encouraging local people to talk to each other and share the things in life that give them hope.
After a hugely challenging 18 months, volunteers are aiming to help the community remain hopeful by asking residents what they do to help maintain their wellbeing, in line with this year’s theme, Creating Hope Through Action.
Lanarkshire Samaritans will be involved, along with Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire, in promoting suicide awareness at a golf tournament at Palacerigg Golf course on September 10.
With the long-term effects of the pandemic likely to be felt for several years, sharing ways of remaining hopeful could support anyone struggling to cope and be an important reminder that you do not have to struggle alone, help and support is available.
Spending time in nature, exercising, baking, listening to music, and drawing are just a handful of examples that can help boost people’s mood, among plenty of other actions. Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire will also be planning other sporting events throughout the month that Lanarkshire Samaritans will also be supporting.
To help inspire people, Samaritans have created several new resources , including suggested activities, useful tips, and a mood-boosting playlist. These will be available from September 10.
This comes as new figures show that the number of people who have taken their own lives in Lanarkshire remained static in 2020.
Figures published by the National Records of Scotland revealed that there were 112 probable suicides in the region last year.
Of these deaths, 79 were among men and 33 were among women. The overall suicide rate across Lanarkshire was 14.6 deaths per 100,000 over the last five years.
Willie Kerr, branch director at Lanarkshire Samaritans said: “The pandemic’s challenges are continuing and won’t immediately ease off with restrictions lifting. Therefore, it’s vitally important we do everything we can to help anyone who needs support. Taking the time to enjoy your favourite activities, whatever they are - something easy and every day, or something more strenuous or creative - can be great ways to spread hope and look after your mental wellbeing.
“Whether it’s a group activity or something you can do in your own time, sharing ideas about what you turn to when you’re feeling low is a simple yet effective way to help friends and family who are struggling. You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference, and potentially save someone’s life.”
Throughout World Suicide Prevention Day, Samaritans will be sharing useful content on their Instagram , Twitter and Facebook pages, asking people what they do when they’re not feeling hopeful, providing tips for creating hope and sharing case studies exploring the meaning of hope.
Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, 24/7, 365 days a year, on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org