9th September 2024

Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said:

"Scotland must do more to reduce suicide deaths. Two people die by suicide every day in this country. Behind each of the 792 probable suicide deaths in Scotland last year* is a person, their loved ones, their colleagues and their communities. Research suggests that as many as 135 people are affected by each loss. That is over 100,000 people – enough to fill Hampden Park twice, over and above the lives lost.

“At SAMH we help to build personal and community capacity to discuss, prevent and cope with suicide. We have potentially life-saving conversations with people experiencing suicidal thoughts every day. From our dedicated suicide prevention colleagues to our peer support projects offering a friendly and relatable ear, we’re in communities, workplaces, education settings and sports clubs and groups, talking about suicide and building the confidence people need.

"That work needs to be resourced, and we’re so grateful to all our supporters that help us do what we do – and we want to do even more. There must also be increased investment nationally, well beyond the £2.8 million commitment made by the Scottish Government by the end of this parliament, if we are to sufficiently resource and deliver what is a positive ten-year national suicide prevention strategy.

"We need more focus on earlier interventions and more community support, particularly among those groups that we know are at increased risk for suicide - men, those aged 45-54, LGBTQ+ and people living in more deprived communities. With the cost of living high, now is the time to invest.

“Suicide is complex. But the more we can encourage open discussion, offer support and provide people with hope, the more likely we are to be able to prevent it.”

*https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2024/increase-in-deaths-by-suicide

If you have serious concerns for your own or someone else's safety, it's important to call 999.

If you are distressed, struggling to cope or thoughts of suicide, you can contact NHS 24 by phoning 111, or Samaritans by phoning 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.

In non-urgent situations, you can contact the SAMH information service (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri) to chat about mental health or get more information about mental health support in your area on 0344 800 0550 or info@samh.org.uk. You can text Shout on 85258 any time. Or call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am or between Friday 6pm-Monday 6am.