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Suicide Prevention in Scotland: Choose Life National Programme

Learn about Choose Life, Scotland's suicide prevention strategy aiming to reduce suicide rates through targeted interventions, support for high-risk groups, training, and effective communication strategies.

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Suicide Prevention in Scotland: Choose Life National Programme

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  1. Suicide Prevention in Scotland Alana Atkinson Health Improvement Programme Manager Choose Life National Programme Team

  2. Europe

  3. United Kingdom

  4. Suicide in Scotland: • Around 2 people per day die by suicide in Scotland* • 746 people died by suicide in 2009* • Scotland’s suicide rate is higher than the rates in most other European countries • Suicide remains the leading cause of mortality in those under the age of 35 years • Around 3 out of 4 suicides* are men • Those in most deprived areas of Scotland still have a suicide risk double that of the Scottish average *deaths by intentional self-harm and events of undetermined intent

  5. Suicide over time, by age in Scotland: Males

  6. Choose Life: Dedicated 10 year suicide prevention strategy (2002-2013) • Set a clear target: 20% reduction by 2013 • Calls for broad based collective action and partnership working at national and local level • There have been two evaluations and the outcome of these have influenced a ‘refresh’ of the strategy from 2010

  7. Refreshed Objectives 2010 • Identify & intervene to reduce suicidal behaviour • Develop & implement a co-ordinated approach to suicidal behaviour • Ensure interventions to reduce suicidal behaviour are informed by evidence from research & evaluated appropriately • Provide support to those affected by suicidal behaviour • Provide education & training about suicidal behaviour & promote awareness about the help available • Reduce availability & lethality of methods

  8. High risk groups People • Experiencing mental ill health (primarily depression & bipolar disorder) • Misusing substances – especially alcohol • With co-existing mental illness & substance misuse • Who have a history of self-harm or who have attempted suicide • In psychiatric care & those recently discharged • Recently bereaved • Living in areas of socio-economic deprivation • With low socio-economic status • Who are unemployed • Who experienced life stress – especially physical and/or sexual abuse • Who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

  9. National Support & Implementation • Leadership and support for local implementation • Support for local areas – evaluation, guidance, network events • Training • Communications & media work • Understanding what works – research, evaluation and sharing effective practice • Partnership approach – suicide prevention is everyone’s business

  10. Suicide Prevention Training: • Range of suicide prevention trainingcourses now available: ASIST, SafeTALK; Suicide TALK; STORM • 1 in 200 people now trained in suicide prevention (20,000) • Training has raised awareness, boosted confidence and skills leading to direct interventions

  11. Communications & Marketing • Key messages i.e. 2 suicides a day in Scotland • Campaign materials • TV, radio and online advertising • NUJ Media Guidelines – to support responsible media reporting • Media volunteers (the human voice to what we do) • National & local input to Suicide Prevention Week • www.suicide-prevention.org.uk , campaign website Communicating consistent and coherent messages across Scotland

  12. Don’t hide It. Talk about it.

  13. Reporting a Suicide • Why should the story run? • Mind your language • Be careful how suicide rates are reported • Do not be explicit • Position the story • Interviewing the bereaved • Place the story in context • Seek expert advice • Include helpline contacts

  14. Reporting suicide in the media Do: • Consider using a personal story to illustrate a point • Seek advice/comment from experts/suicide prevention • Encourage people to seek help • Include contact details of where to seek help • Use as an opportunity to educate the public

  15. Alana AtkinsonHealth Improvement Programme ManagerChoose Life National Programme Team • alana.atkinson@nhs.net • info@chooselife.net • www.chooselife.net • www.suicide-prevention.org.uk

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