Losing Scott broke our hearts now we want to help others
Palsorganisecharityfootballmatch
Friends of a young man who took his own life last year are coming together for mental health awareness.
Events management student Scott Carrigan sadly passed away on August 4, 2022.
The 23-year-old from East Kilbride was loved by many as tributes flooded in following his untimely death.
Now, his fellow students at South Lanarkshire College have devoted one of their assignments in his memory, with a charity football match organised for Scott.
It takes place on March 18 at Toryglen Regional Football Centre where lots of organisations and mental health groups will be in attendance and as many locals as possible are encouraged to come along and join the conversation.
The mental health charities will set up stalls to signpost the help that is available to anyone struggling, with donation points to raise funds for Men Matter Scotland.
Scott’s friend Sarah McEwan, who is part of the team organising the event, said: “We just want to stop people feeling that they don’t have anywhere to go.
“The football match is the main aspect but there will be so much more going on on the day.
“Scott was in our class studying events management with us so this is like our final assessment we’ve been organising.
“It’s been hard. We all loved Scott so much and losing him was extremely difficult. He was this bubbly guy, the happiest person you would come across.
“Knowing how much he hurt and knowing how none of us really saw it, it was hard to come to terms with.
“Organising this and seeing the statistics and how many families go through this has been really hard.
“But even on the day if there’s one person that comes along and the help we’re providing helps them, that’s more than we could ask for.
“If one person can see what Scott couldn’t and see there is help out there for them, then that’s what’s driving us to do this.”
Scott’s family will also be in attendance to support the event.
The match will be played out by Scott’s close friends, colleagues, fellow college students and members from the college too.
The event is free and there will also be lots of activities for kids on the day.
Doors open at 10am with kick-off at 10.30am. From 11.45am until 1pm the seminar room will be open for refreshments for everyone, and a chance for people to interact with the different charities.
“Anyone is welcome to come. We’ve set up an eventbrite page where you can click ‘play your part’ to come along,” Sarah added.
“We want to highlight that there is help out there. You don’t need to feel as though you don’t have any other options.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise how many helplines are available, how many resources there are to get help.
“It’s not embarrassing to ask for help. If you feel as though you need that extra help then that’s okay.
“It’s okay to ask for help, because no family or no group of friends should have to feel the way we’ve all felt and go through the heartbreak we’ve all been through losing Scott.”
You can sign up to attend the match and find out more at https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/playyour-part-charity-football-matchtickets-538982088937
If you are struggling and need help and support there are a number of organisations who can be contacted.
■ Samaritans are on 116 123 (24hr) or email jo@samaritans. org – calls are free and confidential.
■ Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (6pm – 2am daily and 24 hours weekends) is a free, confidential service for anyone experiencing
low mood or depression.
■ For help and support for your mental health, speak to your GP or if out of hours, call NHS 24 on 111.
■ Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention App – search for SP Lanarkshire with your App store provider.
■ ChildLine 0800 1111 – a free 24-hour helpline for children and
young people in the UK.
■ HopeLine UK (0800 24 20 24) is a free service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
■ For more focused support see www.elament.org.uk