SAMH has been working with people affected by suicide
since 2004, when we first produced our information pamphlet for
friends and families, After a
Suicide.
The publication of our handbook, After a Suicide, received an
overwhelmingly positive response. SAMH continues to receive regular
calls from devastated families who have lost someone to suicide.
These experiences convinced us that SAMH needs to do more to help
reduce suicide in Scotland beyond our existing work
with Scotland's suicide prevention strategy, Choose Life.
SAMH works
with some of the highest risk groups, including those with mental
health problems, people who abuse substances, people affected by
homelessness and survivors of bullying and abuse. We are only too
aware of the direct impact of suicide and
that's why
we've launched our National Programme on Suicide
Prevention.
Our National Programme focuses on mental health improvement as a
way to reduce suicide, and has five elements:
The first event in our National Programme was a conference for the
friends and family of those affected by suicide. Taking place
in Glasgow on 17 September, the event was the first of its kind in
Scotland and featured a keynote speech from international suicide
prevention expert Ken Norton. Those attending also heard
from SAMH supporters who have been directly affected by suicide and
took part in workshops to support the creation of a national
network of community-based support groups.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by problems or suicidal, don't
hide it. Talk to someone you trust, phone Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.
If you are having serious thoughts about suicide, and
you have a plan and the means to carry it out: call 999 right
now.
SAMH Employee Wins Bravery Award for Suicide Intervention
SAMH's Head of HR, Caron Duffus, was given a Bravery Award for
intervening in the attempted suicide of a young woman in Glasgow.
Caron, who was on her way home from work, saw the woman and
approached her, using her suicide intervention training to save the
woman's life as a crowd of people looked on.
Every year, SAMH trains more people across Scotland in the ASIST
suicide intervention techniques, enabling them to recognise
suicidal behaviour and intervene safely and confidently.
In 2011, the training was used by SAMH staff on 93 occasions in
our services and has been used outside our services to save
countless more lives.
It costs SAMH £150 to train one person in the ASIST suicide
intervention techniques. With your help, we can train more people
in Scotland and help to save more lives. Find out how to donate to SAMH here.
Maureen O'Shea's Story
One of the families who have chosen to support SAMH in memory of
their loved one is the O'Shea family, who lost their son Carl in
2006. In the video below, Maureen O'Shea talks about her
experiences.
Fraser Thomson's Story
The Thomson family lost their daughter, Pam, to suicide in 2009.
In this video, Fraser Thomson talks about how the family found
support following her death and the importance of raising awareness
of suicide.
