Choose Life aims to make Scots more open to discussing their problems.
07 September 2009 07:49 AM
Every day in Scotland, two people take their own lives. Now, a campaign to raise awareness of suicide and the support available to those contemplating it has been launched in Edinburgh.
The Choose Life initiative coincides with National Suicide Prevention Week and aims to encourage Scots to discuss the subject more openly.
Last year, 843 people killed themselves. Suicide is Scotland’s biggest killer of young people and ended the lives of more people in 2008 than road traffic accidents.
Twenty three year old Dionne McMillan first tried to commit suicide when she was just ten years old, after being bullied at school and suffering problems at home.
"By the time I was ten I just felt so low and desperate that I started self-harming. I used to steal tablets from my Nana's cupboards and take them at night, hoping not to wake up in the morning. "
At the age of 16, she was living in homeless accommodation and tried to take her own life on a number of occasions.
"By this point I was just completely a mess. I didn't know if I was coming or going. I used to cut myself regularly. I ended up taking overdoses on a daily basis - its a wonder I am still here after all that. "
Then in September 2006, she discovered she was pregnant and everything changed.
"I had just come out of hospital and I found out I was pregnant with my son and it turned my life about. I have got somebody to focus on, somebody to love, and give everything to that I didn't get. It has changed my life."
A combination of radio and online advertising is being used to deliver the campaign’s simple message: if you are feeling suicidal, call the Breathing Space or Samaritans helplines, or talk to someone you trust.
The campaign is a vital part of the work of Choose Life, Scotland’s national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide. Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health, said: “Suicide is a complex issue – there is no single reason why someone takes their own life. What we can say unequivocally is that every death from suicide is a tragedy.
“Suicide Prevention Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the devastation suicide causes to families and to remember that we can all make a difference simply by offering a willingness to talk and listen to people in distress.”
Since almost 3 out of 4 suicides in Scotland are by men, and young people are particularly vulnerable, the campaign aims to reach young men who traditionally find it less easy to talk about their problems.
Glasgow comedian Gary Little knows from personal experience that opening up about how you are feeling can bring huge relief.
Gary says: “I’ve experienced depression in the past and at times I felt like I couldn’t cope. But I went to my doctor to get help, and I’ve found that comedy has helped me by giving me a creative outlet for my thoughts and bolstering my self esteem.
“I talk about my experience in my stand-up shows because I think it’s important not to hide it away – it’s helped to make me who I am today. I’m glad to say I’m in a much better place now, but for some people feeling low or depressed can lead to thoughts of suicide if left untreated, so hopefully I can help to get people talking. And if there’s a way to combat feeling low it’s to laugh!”
Dougie Paterson, programme manager for Choose Life, explains: “Many people feel that they can’t talk about feeling suicidal, or that by asking someone else if they are feeling suicidal this will increase the risk. But the opposite is true. So we need to continue to tackle the stigma that surrounds suicide to make people more comfortable about seeking help.”
Since the launch of the Choose Life strategy and action plan in 2002 Scotland’s suicide rate has decreased by 10%.
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