Argyll and Bute supports suicide prevention

Scotland is Working Together to Prevent Suicide – including across Argyll and Bute.

This week is Suicide Prevention Week (September 10-16), which started with World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday, September 10, and offers an opportunity to acknowledge that suicide is preventable and that it’s everyone’s business.

The continuing Choose Life ‘Read between the lines’ campaign asks everyone to be alert to the warning signs of suicide in people close to them. If you’re worried about someone, such as a friend, family member or workmate, asking them directly about their feelings can help to save their life.

Signs of suicide can be difficult to spot which is why the campaign encourages people to take all signs of distress seriously, even if it seems a person is living a normal life.

People can feel assured that asking a person about what’s troubling them can make a positive difference.

The emotional impact on families, friends and communities bereaved by suicide is devastating and can have long-lasting negative effects on those left behind.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: ‘Every life matters and no death by suicide should be regarded as either acceptable or inevitable. Over the past decade, Scotland has made real progress in reducing deaths by suicide but we want to go further. Our view is that suicide is preventable, and anyone contemplating suicide or who has lost a loved one to suicide should get the support they need.

‘If we are to achieve this, we need to make clear that suicide prevention is everyone’s business. We need to work together across sectors and organisations to identify and support people in distress, strengthen communities, and save lives.’