Family’s bid to help suicide awareness

A farming family have spoken of their experience of losing a family member to suicide as part of a drive to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of talking.

In a video launched this week, Robert Arkley and his sister Susan – along with family members George and Alasdair Allan – describe the impact of the tragic death of their uncle David Arkley, which left the family devastated.

The family, who come from the Linlithgow area, have decided to talk about what happened eight years ago in the short film, as part of the #KeepTalking campaign being run by RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture.

The campaign runs until June 21, which would have been the final day of the Royal Highland Show and is actively encouraging farmers, crofters and others involved in agriculture to make the time to pick up the phone, or chat online, to connect with other people.

Susan Arkley said the family’s very strong hope is that people watching the video and hearing their story will realise just how important it is to take time to talk and listen to others.

She said: “It is hard for us as a family to understand why David didn’t talk to us about how he was feeling and we are sure if he had just spoken about how he was feeling, we would still have him with us.

“So we hope that by all of us speaking about it as part of the RSABI campaign, we might encourage other people who might be feeling like he was, to find someone they can talk to.

“There is always someone to talk to and if you don’t feel you can speak to a friend, neighbour or family member, please pick up the phone and speak with RSABI.”

RSABI has a helpline, 0300 111 4166, which is available seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Staff are ready and waiting to help people and to signpost other sources of support.