Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Work continuing in North Lanarkshire but MSPS warn ‘we should never be complacent’
Every life lost to suicide is tragic. It’s vital we continueto help people at a low ebb
Work is continuing across North Lanarkshire to help people with suicidal thoughts and those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
The region has recorded 128 suicides since 2019, with 62 per cent of these occurring in people under the age of 44.
An average of two people died by suicide every day last year in Scotland and it remains the leading cause of death in young and middle-aged men in the UK.
The steps being taken by a group of organisations to avoid such tragic losses of life across North Lanarkshire were laid out in a report to the Integration Joint Board’s (IJB) performance, finance and audit committee.
North Lanarkshire’s Suicide Prevention Partnership (SPS) was set up in 2018 to strengthen suicide prevention initiatives and raise awareness of the support available to people who have experienced suicidal thoughts.
Representatives of NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Police Scotland, Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Services (CAMHS), NL Leisure, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and the independent sector make up the group.
It promotes the national and local suicide prevention strategies through a range of activities including awareness raising as well as training across services and local communities.
The council’s deputy leader, Paul Kelly, told the Advertiser:“every life lost to suicide is tragic.
“In North Lanarkshire we’re determined to support people who may be having difficulties in their lives and support them to lead full and independent lives at the heart of the communities.
“We are committed to ensuring people can easily access support, so it’s very encouraging to hear the range of work being done by the suicide prevention partnership.
“It plays a crucial role in raising
awareness of the supports available to people and also delivering training to a number of groups.
“However, it’s vital that we continue to break down the stigma around mental health and do all we can to help people who are at a low ebb or have been impacted by suicide.
“We’ve had great support through local sports clubs with partnerships with Clyde, Motherwell, Albion Rovers and Airdrie football clubs, Dalziel Rugby Club and the virtual Run and Cycle events.
“These partnerships mean we can use sport as a means to reach out to more people and raise awareness around this sensitive area.
“I would urge everyone to download the Suicide Prevention Lanarkshire app.
“It provides quick and easy access to information and support which can be used to help prevent the tragedy of suicide.”
In 2020, 50 people in South Lanarkshire – down by five on
2019 – died by suicide including 37 men and 13 women.
Clydesdale MSP Mairi Mcallan welcomed the“small but positive step”, but added that suicide was not inevitable.
She said:“while a small decrease in the number of probable suicides is of course welcome news, every life lost is a tragedy and efforts must continue to
help save more lives. My thoughts and condolences go out to every family who has lost a loved one in this way.
“Suicide is preventable.the pandemic has presented new challenges and there are a number of factors behind why someone may take their own life.
“The Scottish Government published its Suicide Prevention Plan in 2018 which aims to further reduce the rate of suicide by 20 per cent by 2022 and follows previous declines between 2002 and 2006 and 2013 to 2017, where the rate of death by suicide in Scotland also fell by 20 per cent.
“We of, course, should never be complacent – every life is precious and the loss is felt deeply by loved ones.
“The latest data published showing a small decline is therefore a small but positive step on this road to ensuring that no death by suicide in Scotland is regarded as inevitable.”
Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon has called for continued action to ensure the downward trend is not a one-off.
She said:“one death by suicide is one too many. Each loss has a devastating impact on family and friends and bereavement support should always be available to those affected.
“Suicide prevention must continue to
be a public health priority, and that’s why I will keep campaigning for more investment in mental health and wellbeing services.
“We can all benefit from more open conversations about mental health and being more aware of the support that already exists. LAMH – Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health, is a fantastic example of a trusted local charity and Samaritans Scotland is available to listen, day or night.
“The Scottish Government must take sustained action on suicide prevention, recognising the range of factors and inequalities that can contribute to suicide risk.”
Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, said:“losing a loved one to suicide is traumatic and the ripple effects of that individual loss run wide and long amongst families and friends.
“My thoughts today and every day are with those who are mourning such a loss. From the outset, I want to remind every family impacted by suicide that no one is to blame.
“While there are many reasons why someone takes their own life, it is my firmly held belief that most suicides are preventable. But to save lives, we need services in place to identify when a person is in crisis and respond with appropriate, person specific support.
“Moving forward, with flexible, targeted investment and support we can and will save lives. It is why I welcome the Scottish Government’s
additional funding for mental health services. More widely, however, we also must continue to focus on tackling poverty, as we know suicide is more prevalent in our most deprived communities. Locally, staff from the NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire councils and partner agencies staff work together to assess suicide risk and coordinate treatment pwide-range of work being undertaken by government and partners.
“I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in helping people in their most vulnerable moments.
“Everyone across Lanarkshire needs to know that if you are in mental distress help is out there. Please reach out and talk to someone, call NHS24, contact your GP or go on line to visit the Samaritans and Breathing Space websites.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, a former mental health nurse, said everything possible should be done to tackle suicide.
She said:“whilst there has been a small decrease in the number of probable suicides over last year, it is still devastating to see the numbers of people taking their lives. Behind every statistic is someone who was loved, and families left grieving.
“As a mental health nurse with over 30 years’experience, mental health has been something I’ve been involved in during my time as an MSP, and there is a wide-range of work being undertaken by government and partners.”