Suicide Prevention

For some people they might be finding it difficult to cope and may think of ending their life, if you are concerned about an individual’s mental health and wellbeing and feel they may be in distress, the GP should be their first point of contact or contact NHS 24 on 111. If you feel the individual is in immediate danger please call 999.

The topic of suicide can be emotional and triggering for some, support is always available, and you may find the below information useful.

Breathing Space

A free helpline for individuals experiencing symptoms of low mood, depression, or anxiety, and offers free and confidential advice for individuals over the age of 16. They can be contacted on 0800 838 587, 6.00pm to 2.00am Monday to Thursday; and from 6pm Friday throughout the weekend to 6am Monday.

Childline

For children and young people, for whenever they need support or advice. It is open 24/7, and there are many ways to get support. You can call 0800 1111. Other ways are set out on their website: www.childline.org.uk

NHS 24 Mental Health Hub

Telephone advice and support on healthcare can be obtained from NHS24 by phoning 111; the Mental Health Hub is open 24/7.

Samaritans

Provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. You can contact Samaritans free by phoning 116 123 or via email on jo@samaritans.org.

SHOUT

A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258.

Suicide is a significant public health issue. In 2022, 762 probable deaths by suicide were in Scotland, 556 males and 206 females. Every life lost to suicide is an enormous tragedy. And every life lost leaves devastating and long lasting impacts on families, friends and communities. Up to 135 people can be affected in some way by every suicide. Suicide is preventable and is everyone’s business.

There is a commitment from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to local action planning and delivery to prevent suicide, through the development of a Suicide Prevention Concordat and planning group structures. These include the NHSGGC Suicide Prevention Group and a Youth and Young Adults Suicide Prevention sub group, where all suicide prevention developments and activity are co-ordinated.

Find out more about some of the key Suicide Prevention progress and activity across NHSGGC over the last two years here, and watch the video below:

The Youth & Young Adults Suicide Prevention Group carried out a snapshot exercise in 2021 with 32 stakeholders to gain a picture of youth suicide prevention supports, interventions, collaborative working, referral pathways and examples of good practice. Read the executive summary.

An Introduction to Suicide Prevention: read more about this training and what participants are saying.

For more information on the Suicide Prevention Groups contact: ggc.mhead@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Please note that this is a generic admin inbox and not monitored immediately. If you, or someone you know are in distress and need an immediate response call the emergency services on 999 or NHS 24 on 111.

• Suicide Alert resources: for staff working in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area to support you if you are talking with someone who may be at risk of suicide. It explains the ‘ALERT’ model and provides some ideas for putting it into practice, as well as useful information about support services and suicide prevention resources. Resources include a briefing note and a generic prompt sheet and a Glasgow City specific prompt sheet. A resource directory of mental health APPS, helplines and websites to support staff with signposting and sharing of information that is appropriate to need.
• Mental Health Pocket Guide: provides details for a mental health support organisation in each of the 6 Health and Social Care Partnerships; Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire. Provides helpful tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing and who to contact if you feel someone is in distress.
• Heads Up: provides advice, and information, on mental health conditions – about how you can support yourself or the people you care for, the services available for you and the range of interventions you may participate in. It also provides mental health information described in British Sign Language (BSL)
• Suicide Prevention Resources and Supports: a comprehensive document for the wider public health workforce which brings together a range of suicide prevention information for staff relating to learning, resources and websites, helplines and keeping safe. The information is targeted at the Informed and Skilled levels as set out in the Mental Health Improvement and Suicide Prevention Framework.
• GAMH YouTube: GAMH and Glasgow City HSCP have created a playlist of videos called: Being there for someone at risk of suicide – A guide to taking care of Yourself and Others.
• Being There For Someone at Risk of Suicide: A resource developed by GAMH and Glasgow City HSCP which is here for people who care about someone who has tried to take their own life, or are worried that they might. If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, e.g. has a plan for suicide and the means to carry out this plan, call 999.

• Creating Hope Together: Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022 to 2032 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

• Suicide Prevention Action Plan: Every Life Matters – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
• United To Prevent Suicide: is a social movement of people from all across Scotland, we are united in a shared belief that each and every one of us has a role to play in preventing suicide.
• Snapshot Exercise: The Youth & Young Adults Suicide Prevention Group carried out a snapshot exercise in 2021 with 32 stakeholders to gain a picture of youth suicide prevention supports, interventions, collaborative working, referral pathways and examples of good practice.