FRIDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER, 2021

EMBARGOED UNTIL 12.01AM SUNDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER

Suicide Prevention Week 2021

People across Tayside are being encouraged to talk about their mental health this Suicide Prevention Week (5 – 11 September).

Suicide Prevention Week aims to raise awareness of suicide, encouraging people to talk about mental health and wellbeing openly, and provide information about the support available. This year’s theme is Creating Hope through Action.

NHS Tayside Public Health Consultant Dr Jane Bray said, “Suicide Prevention Week is an opportunity for us to raise awareness of suicide, encouraging people to talk about it openly and to get support.

“Each and every suicide is a tragedy and has a profound and long lasting impact on families, friends and communities. Across Tayside we are working hard to prevent suicide. We have established a new multi-agency Tayside Suicide Prevention Network which brings together expertise from across Tayside in order to increase the effectiveness and impact of suicide prevention activity.

“COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone and it has highlighted the importance of mental health and wellbeing for us all. Suicide prevention is everybody’s business and we all have a role to play.

“Everyone should be able to share how they feel and talk about their mental health. Please remember that if you or someone you love is going through a difficult time, there is support available.”

Visit the Tayside Suicide Help website at suicidehelp.co.uk for information about local support and how to get help. You can also download the Tayside Suicide Help app on Google Play store or Apple store.

FC United to Prevent Suicide is a new national campaign to reach more people through compelling football-related stories on their Twitter channel. Watch their short film focusing on the difficulty of saying the word “suicide”.

You can also watch the Ask, Tell – Save a Life: Every Life Matters video which helps you understand the signs when someone might be thinking about suicide, and how to get help and support.

People can also visit NHS Tayside’s online self help mental health directory, which includes a list of mental health support and advice organisations, resources both in Tayside and nationally. The directory is available to view at www.livinglifewelltayside.scot.nhs.uk

If you need to speak to someone, you can contact:

• Samaritans: 116 123

• Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87

• NHS 24: 111

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138