From 8 to 14 September, Scotland stood together during Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness and shine a light on suicide and what we can do to keep each other safe.

The latest Scottish Public Health Observatory Report on Suicides reported that in 2023 there were 792 probable suicides in Scotland, a tragic loss of life with long-lasting impacts on bereaved families, friends and communities as well as staff and colleagues from the range of multi-agency partners.

In Glasgow, our Glasgow City Suicide Prevention Partnership (GCSPP) ran a week-long campaign surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, to raise awareness in the city about suicide prevention and the training available to anyone who would like to learn how to recognise and support someone at risk of suicide.

Around the city, local carers centres organised wellbeing walks and events to mark World Suicide Prevention Week.

The yearly ‘Chalk the Walk’ project brought young people together once again through beautiful chalk art around their community. Working with Health Improvement Team staff, local youth organisations encouraged young people to use chalk, to beautify their community, with images and messages of hope, resilience, suicide awareness and prevention.

To mark all the lives sadly lost to suicide, the GCSPP hosted its annual ‘Candlelight Celebration of Life’ event on World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September, in the Tranquillity Garden at Campbell House in Gartnavel Royal Hospital.

The Celebration of Life event was first set up in 2013 and a rowan tree was planted in the Tranquillity Garden, which has become the focal point for the celebration each year. Those who attend are given the opportunity to light a candle and leave a message for a loved one tied to our rowan tree.

One of the founding members of the multi-agency Celebration of Life event said: “It’s so important that every year we make the effort to come together and organise this event to remember all those touched by suicide in Glasgow. Our event is an opportunity for people whose lives have been affected by suicide to reflect, contemplate and remember”.

In the North East of the city, a joint initiative between the North East Health Improvement Team and Glasgow City Council’s Neighbourhoods, Regeneration, and Sustainability (NRS) service department, which manages the Unpaid Work programme for Community Justice, was carried out as part of the ‘Start the Conversation’ suicide prevention campaign.

As part of the campaign, community health walks were set up and participants had the opportunity to write positive affirmations or messages of hope on paper leaves.

The NRS Unpaid Work team agreed to design and build a ‘Tree of Hope’ at their carpentry depot, where these leaf messages could be attached, creating a tree full of positivity.

The tree is currently displayed at our Parkhead Hub shop in the Parkhead Forge. It is hoped that the tree will later find a permanent home at the new Parkhead Hub for ongoing community access.

In addition, the Health Improvement Team delivered a suicide prevention talk to the unpaid work clients and staff involved in the tree's creation.

John O’Neill, Service Manager Community Payback and Training Resources within NRS said: “Having the opportunity to support the Tree of Hope project with our unpaid work staff and clients designing and making the tree continues to build on our partnership working model to provide meaningful and impactful work and inputs to benefit individuals, and to positively impact on local communities. Being able to play a part in such a worthwhile project and taking part in the walk to then have open and honest discussions about concerns, worries and experiences around suicide prevention has left clients with not only a great sense of pride but provided new learning and knowledge to support breaking down the stigma and barriers that can often be associated with suicide and mental health.”

Chloe Heyburn and Claire Mclachlan, North East Health Improvement Team said: “Delivering SuicideTALK training to the individuals on community payback orders with unpaid work was really positive. The individuals not only benefited from gaining knowledge, but they also made meaningful positive relationships with Health Improvement and Unpaid Work staff. SuicideTALK equips them with the confidence to have conversations, break down barriers and raise awareness, check in with a friend or loved one, share personal stories and advocate for suicide prevention and awareness resources and support services.”

Dr Trevor Lakey, our HSCP’s Health Improvement and Inequalities Manager and Interim Glasgow Suicide Prevention Coordinator said: “Through our joint actions we hope to improve suicide prevention and recognise suicide prevention is not the job of one person or group. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business: we can all act to try and prevent suicide.

If you’re worried about someone, you can start a conversation with them, ask them how they are feeling, listen to them and let them know that you care. You don’t need to have the answers. If it feels right, you can ask them if they’re thinking about suicide, and if they are, you can work with them to keep them safe and get help.”

Where to Get Help
If you’re experiencing confusing or distressing thoughts, or if people around you have expressed concern about your wellbeing, arrange an appointment with your GP or phone NHS 24 on 111.

If it would help you to talk with someone, freephone:

• Samaritans – 116 123
• Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87

If you, or someone you know, needs urgent help please phone the emergency services on 999.

Find out more about suicide prevention, local resources and support available from the Glasgow City Suicide Prevention Partnership webpage.