Published on:
12
September 2012
The recently published Scottish Suicide statistics for 2011 by National Records of Scotland show a further drop in the suicide rate.
Scotland has seen a 17% fall in suicide rates since the choose Life strategy began in 2002.
Within Clackmannanshire, the average rate during 2009-2011 was 4.3 deaths as compared to 9.6 during the period 2001-2003.
Clackmannanshire and NHS Forth Valley as a region have invested greatly in this strategy, by ensuring that professionals working directly with the public in mental health services, primary care and Accident Emergency, are trained in suicide prevention skills.
Health and Care Committee Convenor, Councillor Les Sharp said: "We are aware that 75% of people who complete suicide are not in contact with mental health services, therefore, in Clackmannanshire, over the last two years, we have made a conscious effort to reach out to our local communities. We do this by opening up training courses to the general public. The drop in numbers is very encouraging news for Clackmannanshire."
Scottish Mental Health First Aid courses, addressing suicide are widely delivered and advertised in our local papers, encouraging our communities to learn about most common mental health problems, become aware of signs that may give indication that someone might be struggling and seek appropriate help at the earliest opportunity.
Councillor Sharp added: "We also are aware that life can be stressful especially in the current economic downturn and we are regularly delivering Stress Control classes to enable individuals to understand stress, how it can affect us and how we can learn to deal with it better."
To find out more about Scottish Mental Health First Aid please visit www.smhfa.com or register for one of our courses by contacting Jenny Ewen on 01786 431132 or email at: jewen@nhs.net.
To find out more about Stress control classes or register contact us on 01259 215048 or by email on integratedmentalhealth@clacks.gov.uk.