Church leader pays tribute to mother of tragic Frightened Rabbit frontman

Moderator full of admiration for woman who set up Tiny Changes charity

The Angus-based moderator of the Church of Scotland has spoken of his “admiration” for the mother of tragic Scottish songwriter Scott Hutchison.

Retired teacher Marion Hutchison said her son, who took his own life in May 2018, could be alive today if he’d had access to the right mental health support services.

She has set up charity Tiny Changes, after a lyric in one of Scott’s songs, to help more people in need.

Arbroath minister the Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, a committed fan of Scott’s band Frightened Rabbit, spoke to Marion to raise awareness about the help that is available for those struggling with their mental health.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland highlighted official figures that showed there were 784 probable suicides in Scotland in 2018 of which 581 were men.

Dr Fair said: “I have nothing but admiration for Marion, her courage in the face of such a tragedy and her commitment to see things change.

“Covid- 19 has had a serious detrimental effect on mental health and we need statutory and voluntary services like Tiny Changes like never before. The name of the charity is inspired by a Frightened Rabbit song lyric which reads ‘While I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to Earth’.

“Just imagine all of us being more aware, doing something to make a difference. Lots of tiny changes add up to big change.”

Dr Fair is a fan of the indie rock band and said he was “devastated” after Scott took his own life. He decided he could not stand idly by and do nothing and last year oversaw a rollout of three mental health support services at St Andrew’s Parish Church, Arbroath – the community choir, a therapeutic garden and a drop-in service.

Mrs Hutchison shared her thoughts in the latest episode of It’s a Fair Question with Dr Fair, broadcast on social media. She said: “Scott was probably best known as the lead singer, songwriter of

Frightened Rabbit. But to me and to his family and to his close friends, he was just the most creative, the funniest, the most honest and the kindest person I’ve ever met.”

She said her middle son found social situations difficult. She added: “Scott was in quite a dark place during the last couple of months of his life but the rest ofthe time hewasn’t, it wasintermittent. He had a great life and he followed his dream, it’s just so sad he didn’t have the help. If Scott had got help when he needed it and had somewhere to go in his head or physically when he was struggling, I believe he would have had a good chance.”

For help and support contact the Samaritans on 116 123 for free or visit samaritans.org. TheScottishAssociation for Mental Health is available at samh. org.uk and Tiny Changes can be found at tinychanges.com

The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair and Marion Hutchison, who have been raising awareness of mental health support services after Marion’s son Scott, above right, took his own life in May 2018.