CHOOSE LIFE – working to reduce suicide and self harm in Argyll and Bute

Suicide Prevention Day - 10th September We were very priviledged to spend World Suicide Prevention Day with an amazing bunch of people in Argyll. Thank you to everyone who attended our conference. Powerful speakers, participating delegates and some unusual activities combined to make a memorable day. The main focus of the day was on being mentally flourishing, looking to see what trees could teach us. A full report will be on the news pages of our website soon. Thank you to everyone who took part and also everyone who contributed to make the day such a success. International Suicide Prevention Awareness Day is held on September 10 each year as an initiative of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 2008 theme is "Think Globally. Plan Nationally. Act Locally." last modified 12/09/2008 18:11 How can you help someone at risk of suicide? Training courses now free of charge NEXT COURSE - Inveraray 18th & 19th September Learn how recognise the signs of someone thinking about suicide, how to ask directly and how to direct the person to further help. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two day workshop. It is suitable for members of the public, service users, teachers, social work, health workers - anyone who is interested in helping those at risk of suicide. last modified 02/08/2008 12:59

The Choose Life Initiative in Argyll and Bute is working to reduce suicide and self harm as part of the Scottish Executive’s national strategy to reduce the suicide rate in Scotland by 20 per cent over the next 10 years. The work in Argyll and Bute is focusing on increasing capacity across this diverse area, building on existing structures and co-ordinating the good work already taking place.

Although we are working to enhance existing mental health services, Choose Life is about far more than services. World-wide research shows that the majority of people who go on to take their own lives have had no links with formal mental health services, so we have to look at what other factors are contributing to Scotland’s 835 suicides in 2004 – one of the highest in Europe. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are worried about someone, you can phone the Samaritans on 0845 7909090, Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Saneline on 0845 767 8000.

Quality of life, poverty, social injustice, bereavement, emotional competence, abuse and relationship problems are just some of the risk factors that may be faced by a person with suicidal thoughts. It becomes clear that communities are at the heart of starting to tackle this problem. Statistics give us some idea of the issues and who might be most at risk, but the impact on the lives of hundreds of people across the country tell us far more about the kinds of things we should be considering. The devastation left behind following a completed suicide is hard to calculate, but we do know that at least five family members, friends and colleagues are deeply affected by the death of each person by suicide. If you have been bereaved through suicide, take time to look at the websites of the charity Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to download the booklet ‘After a suicide’.

Much work is also being done to understand and help people who are self-harming and those who live with people who self-harm. Part of our work is raising awareness through publicity (see our downloadable leaflets) and through training. If you are afftected by self-harm, there are people who can help – try these links: The National Self-Harm Network, Self-Harm Alliance and Penumbra.

Participants increase their skills on Choose Life training We hope that Choose Life in Argyll and Bute can begin to make a difference to those affected by suicide and work towards reducing suicide and self-harm with the help of all the communities across this area. One of the major ways we are contributing to increasing capacity across Argyll and Bute is through training. The current programme includes ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), dealing with Self Harm and Promoting Mental Health and Raising Awareness. As well as running a number of courses, we are drawing on the expertise which already exists throughout Argyll and Bute by offering Training for Trainer courses in these workshops, so that the work can be sustained.

Dave Bertin Choose Life in Argyll and Bute is managed by Co-ordinator Dave Bertin along with Project Workers Marie Park and Tracy Preece and the support of the Choose Life Sub-Group, which comes under the umbrella of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership, which includes NHS Highland and Argyll & Bute Council. Tracy Preece Marie Park

You can find out more about our work by downloading our regular newsletter and information leaflets from our News section, get the most up-to-date training schedule from our Training section and there's much more further material and links available from our Infos section including our full action plan.

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