ARE YOU WHY? LISTENING?
This is a tough one.
Mental health issues and suicide aren’t easy to talk about.
But a series of tragedies in recent weeks has left our community shattered.
It’s heartbreaking to think that Callum Dunne, Stephen Mearns and Murray Aitken Boal could see no other way out.
It’s heartbreaking to think that taking their own life seemed the only option.
Their deaths have left family and friends devastated and a whole community united in grief.
Everyone we’ve spoken to has asked the same question: Why?
Hundreds of people commented on social media that “something needs to be done” and the Wishaw Press team agrees.
Over the last week, we have spoken with despondent family members, support groups, charities, health care professionals, community groups, police and the local authority with a view to starting a campaign.
We wanted to know their thoughts on how the Wishaw Press could help.
We all feel it’s never been more important to talk about mental health and we’re starting that conversation now.
It’s easy to look for someone or something to blame when tragedies like this happen. But let’s be clear, that’s not the point of our campaign.
We simply want to make it easier for young people to access the support they need.
And while all the lads who died recently had left school, the people we’ve spoken to all strongly believe that starting a dialogue with young people while at school is key.
We also want to tackle the “big boys don’t cry” culture, open the door to easier mental health support and help establish better social integration.
Our campaign is simple:
We want additional funding and resources to facilitate a significant reduction in the CAMHS waiting time for every at-risk young person in North Lanarkshire.
We want every high school in North Lanarkshire to have permanent access to a fully-trained mental health professional.
We want every young person to have heavily discounted, or in some cases free, access to the region’s leisure and recreation facilities.
Not for one minute are we suggesting that an issue as complex as mental health can be easily sorted but if we take these steps, the first steps, then perhaps we can help someone. It’s Time to Talk. Don’t miss next week’s paper to find out how you can get involved.