Courses will help people to identify various symptoms

A course aimed at giving a greater understanding of suicide, self-harm and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and panic attacks is to be offered in Perth and Aberfeldy.

Perth and Kinross Council are behind the two-day Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid training interactive courses next month.

The courses will also focus on being able to recognise if someone is experiencing a mental health problem.

The SMHFA course takes 12 hours to complete and is delivered by a qualified instructor and quality is continuously monitored by NHS Health Scotland.

The courses are open to anyone and are free of charge.

The training events will be held on December 4 and 11 at North Inch Community Campus, Perth, or December 13 and 14 at Breadalbane Community Campus in Aberfeldy. To book a place, state your preferred date and send your contact details to smhfa.tayside@nhs.net or phone 01382 424086.

Further information and details of courses can be found on the Scotland’s Mental Health Website www.smhfa.com.

On the issue of mental health provision a Perth man has praised a number of local groups for the support they offer after surviving a suicide attempt a year ago.

Tree surgeon Colin McNicol, 65, tried to take his own life last year following a lengthy spell of feeling ill, however support from Murray Royal, Mindspace and Andy’s Man Club has helped the father of three on the road to recovery.

Mr McNicol has battled back and is trying to get back to work and is keen to help more people who are feeling the way he did.