From 4 to 10 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.

This year, we’re continuing with the theme of ‘Creating Hope Through Action’ and encouraging people to talk about suicide and find out more about suicide prevention activities. 

The latest Scottish Public Health Observatory Report on Suicides reported that in 2022, 84 people in Glasgow City took their own lives, 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.

To mark all the lives sadly lost to suicide, the GCSPP hosted its annual ‘Candlelight Celebration of Life’ event on Friday 8 September, in the Tranquillity Garden at Campbell House in Gartnavel Royal Hospital between 12:30pm and 1.30pm.

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. It’s an opportunity to come together to honour loved ones lost to suicide and celebrate their lives.

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, the 'Tranquillity Garden' event took place on 14 September at Cranhill Development Trust as an opportunity to focus on the benefits of green space aiding reflection and wellbeing. 

An online awareness event for all Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) staff was also held on Monday 11 September to educate people on suicide prevention efforts in Glasgow and to signpost to other training opportunities. 
 
David Harley, Glasgow City HSCP Planning and Performance Manager (Mental Health) 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.