Efforts to reduce suicide rate

FIVE people lost their lives to suicide last year, according to NHS Shetland’s Choose Life co-ordinator Karen Smith.

This week is Suicide Prevention Week and Choose Life is making resources to help prevent people from feeling the need to take their own lives widely available in the islands, including through health centres, Lerwick’s Market House, Gilbert Bain Hospital, Shetland Youth Information Service and elsewhere.

Ms Smith said: “It’s important that if you have the slightest inclination that someone you know might be having thoughts of suicide, you ask them about it.

“Mentioning suicide isn’t going to put the thought in their head if it wasn’t there before; and if it was, they’ll probably be relieved that you’ve mentioned it. Suicide can affect anyone and it’s not a subject that should be hidden.”

Anyone feeling suicidal or who suspects that someone they know is considering suicide can contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours) or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thurs 6pm-2am; weekends Fri 6pm-Mon 6am).