Suicide rates drop by almost half in the last five years
LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
Suicide has almost halved in Renfrewshire in the last five years.
A total of 13 people took their own life in the area in 2018, representing a severe contrast from 24 in 2014.
A high number of men continue to fall victim to mental health problems, with 11 dying by suicide last year.
Two women in Renfrewshire took their own life in 2018.
As a Choose Life coordinator at Renfrewshire Council, Douglas Johnston is a key figure in suicide prevention locally.
He said: “We’re working hard within Renfrewshire to provide the correct support and advice which can help to prevent someone taking their own life, while also being there to support the loved ones of those who have died by suicide.
“The figures in Renfrewshire have reduced consistently over the past five years which highlights the important work being undertaken, while recognising the immeasurable distress that the loss of one person can cause to families and local communities.
“Our local Sur vivors of Bereavement by Suicide Support Group (SOBS) runs every month in the community to offer a safe space for those who have lost someone to suicide and we also hold an annual memorial service which gives people the opportunity to remember their loved ones.
“We are committed to ensuring we are doing all we can across Renfrewshire to promote positive mental health and wellbeing and through this continue our focus to help people live well in Renfrewshire.”
Men have consistently made up the majority of suicides in Renfrewshire.
In 2014, 14 of 24 deaths were men, while 10 were women.
The trend has continued in the years following; in 2015, 13 men and eight women died, in 2016 the figure was 11 men and five women, and in 2017, 18 men and five women took their own life.
Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership said its staff work tirelessly to support families who are affected by suicide.
A spokesman said: “Through our dedicated Choose Life team, we work closely with those affected by suicide and aim to create Suicide Safer Communities.
“An integral part of this work is the provision of free training for professionals and community members to ensure they feel confident in responding to someone who may be thinking about suicide, encouraging them to seek help and in dispelling the myths around suicide.
“Talking about thoughts of suicide can be a source of relief and can be key to preventing the immediate danger.
“The Choose Life team, along with a number of close partner organisations, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that support is available to help families in Renfrewshire cope with the loss of a loved one to suicide and to continue to reduce the number of suicides in the area.”
A total of 99 deaths by suicide were recorded in the Glasgow City Council area last year, while other neighbouring authorities West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire both had 12.
Campaigners have been concerned by the picture shown nationally.
The total number of suicides in Scotland in 2018 was recorded as 784 - an increase from 680 in 2017.
Billy Watson, chief executive of the Scottish Association for Mental Health ( SAMH), said: “After a number of years in which we saw an overall downward trend, it is devastating news that significantly more people died by suicide in Scotland last year than in the year before.
“Today’s figures show we must redouble our efforts as a nation to deepen our understanding of the causes of suicide, so we can help everyone who needs it.
“At SAMH we are committed to playing our part in this.”
If you are considering suicide, or you think someone may be, you can contact Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87, Samaritans on 116 123 and First Crisis on 0141 848 9090.
To enquire about available training email chooselife. sw@ renfrewshire.gov.uk