Episode 8 | Suicide Prevention Week
Ahead of Suicide Prevention Week (8th - 14th of Septmber) Lisa sat down with Shirley Windsor. Shirley Windsor is the Organisational Lead for Public Mental Health at NHS Health Scotland. Working together with key national and local agencies, she supports the implementation of mental health improvement and suicide prevention activities, flowing from the national Mental Health Strategy and Suicide Prevention Action Plan.

HS Health Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) were jointly commissioned to develop a range of animations as part of the Scottish Government’s ‘Suicide Prevention Action Plan’. Links to these can be found below.

Ask, Tell - Save A Life: Every Life Matters
https://vimeo.com/338176393

Ask, Tell - Have a Healthy Conversation
https://vimeo.com/338176393

Ask, Tell - Have a Healthy Conversation
https://vimeo.com/338176495

George Dodds, Director of Health Equity at NHS Health Scotland, and member of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership group, said:

“On average two people die by suicide every day in Scotland. That is tragic and preventable. We also know that one in three people who take their own life have had no contact with any specialist services before they die. We need to change that dramatically.

“That’s why NHS Health Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland worked together to develop these resources, to help the Scottish workforce improve mental health and prevent suicide. The online animations created aim to raise awareness of the issues that affect people and that can lead those in distress to sometimes think about taking their own life. They’re also designed to increase the confidence of healthcare staff to respond compassionately and effectively to support anyone in that situation.

“We hope the animations will help staff from other sectors have the confidence to hold compassionate conversations with those they meet, so that they can get help to those most vulnerable at the time it’s needed.”