Suicide prevention

Suicide. Don't hide it. Talk about it. If you are feeling suicidal or you are worried about someone else, help is available. Speak to someone you can trust, or call a helpline.

Samaritans

Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service for anyone experience feelings of distress or despair, or for people with worries about someone else.

Helpline: 116 123

Hard of Hearing? 08457 90 91 92

Text: 07725 909090

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Write to us: Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK

Breathing Space

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phoneline service for anyone in Scotland who is experiencing low mood or depression and need someone to talk to. Trained specialist advisors will listen to your problems and may offer advice, guidance and support underpinned by empathy, warmth and understanding.You can also call Breathing Space if you need support with helping someone you're worried about.

Telephone: 0800 83 85 87 (free phone)

Opening Hours: Weekdays: 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday-Thursday), Weekends:24 hours (6pm Friday - 6am Monday)

Local Support

You can find out about local services which can provide support to people in crisis and who may be feeling suicidal in our Mental Health Directory of Services [781Kb].

The Suicide Help App gives you information about suicide, how to help, and contacts across Tayside, more information is available on the SuicideHelp website. The App contains useful contact details, information about suicide, and how to help. It also contains guidance on creating a Safety Plan [488Kb]. This document replicates the Safety Plan guidance and template.

This is the printable version of the Crisis Contacts [3Mb] which can also be found in the (free) mobile app - search for 'Money Worries? Find the right help in a crisis' to download the app for iPhone, iPad, android phones or android tablets.

Suicide Prevention in Perth and Kinross

Within Perth and Kinross, the Suicide Prevention Local Action Plan [381Kb] covers 4 broad main areas of activity.

Awareness Raising Activities - Partners work together to promote the key messages around suicide prevention such as 'Suicide. Don't hide it. Talk about it.' during campaigns such as Breathing Space Day and Suicide Prevention Week.
Training - There are various training opportunities available to enable a person to recognise when a person may be feeling suicidal and how to ensure they get the support they need, such as SafeTALK, ASIST and Scottish Mental Health First Aid. Please also check out our Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Directory [819Kb] for a list of all training opportunities.
Crisis Services - Suicide Prevention monies are used to fund a range of services which target people who experience suicidal feelings: counselling services provided through Mindspace, Barnardo's Hopscotch and Perthshire Women's Aid; support work delivered through the Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and the Web; and the recruitment and training of Samaritans volunteers and Victim Support volunteers. Find details of all the organisations in our Mental Health Directory of Services [781Kb].
Information and Evaluation - There is an on-going and annual analysis of information made available through Police Scotland on their response to calls from people who self harm or attempt suicide; and a review of completed suicides. Support is also Tayside Suicide Annual Review Group which is being set up to review completed suicides across Tayside and to find out whether any lessons can be learned and improvements made.

Suicide Prevention Nationally

NHS Health Scotland leads the implementation of key aspects of the suicide prevention strategy through its national Suicide Prevention Choose Life programme. Making improvements in how people think and behave about suicide is complex and needs a range of actions and approaches. Crucial to this is the co-ordination and delivery of efforts at both national and local levels. The suicide prevention strategy (2013 - 2016) focuses on 5 key themes of work in communities and services. Its 11 commitments ensure action is taken nationally and locally to continue the downward trend in Scottish Suicides and contribute to the delivery of the National Outcome to enable people to live longer and healthier lives.

Supporting Young People and Children at Risk of Self-Harm and Suicide

The aim of this guidance is to provide support for individuals and professionals supporting young people who are either self-harming or at risk of selfharm or suicide. A full set of guidelines is available:

Suicide Prevention Translated Materials

A range of the national Choose Life Suicide Prevention campaign materials are available in different languages.

Chinese

Hungarian

Polish

Romanian

Slovakian

Urdu

Bereaved by suicide

The Early Intervention and Prevention Team also offer 'Bereaved by Suicide' support for families and/or friends who have been affected by suicide (Contact details below). Please also see our service directory [591Kb] for a list of useful contacts who can offer help and advice

Contact details

Early Intervention and Prevention Team

Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD

Email accessteam@pkc.gov.uk

Tel 0345 30 111 20