Campaign to get Forth Valley talking

A campaign is urging people across the Forth Valley to have "open" conversations about suicide.

Mental health charity SAMH is hoping to tackle the stigma around the issue.

Just 41% of Scots say they'd feel comfortable asking someone they know if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

22-year-old Kira has experience of living with suicidal thoughts, and said: “There’s a lot of stigma around the word ‘suicide’ but I feel like if someone was to ask me I’d have a lot of respect for someone actually using that word, instead of beating around the bush. If you’ve got the bravery to say to someone ‘are you thinking about suicide?’ that’s a big thing. That’s a lot of bravery on their end as well as on the recipient’s end.

“Things are better out than in. When you actually sit down and chat to someone, even if you need a wee cry, you always feel a bit better. It’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders.”

Billy Watson, Chief Executive at SAMH, said: “SAMH has a longstanding commitment to suicide prevention, and it is our ambition to play our part in saving lives from being lost to suicide. Our suicide prevention work is one of the biggest motivations to become a SAMH supporter and we are committed to increase our investment in this area. The Ask About Suicide campaign is the next step in delivering on this strategy.

“Every day, our teams are working to support people in their local communities affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. This is backed up by a national programme – delivery includes training in key settings and peer support programmes such as The Changing Room.

“This campaign has been created alongside people like Kira, with the goal of de-stigmatising direct conversations about suicide, and empowering anyone to ask the question that might help save a life. In helping us to develop this campaign, people who have been affected by suicide tell us this is the most important question you can ask.”