People in Angus are being urged to break the stigma and fear of suicide by talking about it.
A number of events will be taking place across the county as part of Suicide Prevention Week.
Susan Duncan, Development Officer for the Angus Suicide Prevention Collaborative said most people thinking about suicide do not want to die — they want to end the pain they are suffering.
She said: “Sometimes there are occasions when nobody could have predicted a death by suicide.
“However, in many cases, help and support can make a difference and avert a tragic outcome.
“Listening to and supporting people in these circumstances can save lives.
“While some groups are at increased risk of suicide there isn’t a ‘type’ for suicide and it can affect all ages, ethnicities, genders and cultures.
“Many people can have thoughts of suicide at some point in their life while other people have thoughts of suicide on a regular basis.
“It is important to understand that while there is a link between suicide and mental illness, not everyone who has mental health difficulties will have thoughts of suicide and not everyone with thoughts of suicide will have mental health difficulties.
“Stigma and fear are core reasons for many people not talking and seeking support.
“An essential part of the awareness raising aspect of the work of the collaborative is to break down barriers and help everyone to understand that they can make a difference.”
Susan said the most important way to help someone experiencing thoughts of suicide is to “encourage them to talk and for us to listen and to take it seriously”.
She said the collaborative will work with partner agencies to develop availability of support in Angus.
There is a coordinator in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross.
They will each represent the needs of their locality but they will also work together to develop initiatives across Tayside.
One of the partnership activities has been to update the Tayside Suicide Help website, which can also be downloaded as an app.
Events in Angus include a charity concert by Danny Laverty and Friends at the Webster Theatre on Saturday to raise awareness of suicide prevention and the key agencies in Angus that offer support.
On Tuesday at St Andrew’s Church in Arbroath, a range of agencies will be holding an event to offer information, guidance and support related to mental health and wellbeing.
The event is open to members of the public and professionals.
A health promotion representative will be visiting libraries across Angus during the week to help raise awareness and answer any questions.
