Suicide Prevention Week is an annual awareness raising event. In Lanarkshire, the common café is the focus of this year’s Suicide Prevention Week running from 10th to 16th September.
 
This year’s campaign theme is ‘talking and listening’ and what better place to do that than a café. Taking a moment to offer a gentle word of support and listening to those who may be struggling emotionally, can make a huge positive difference to someone’s emotional mood and wellbeing.  To promote this type of interaction and intervention and give general advice on good mental health, a series of cafés and events will take place across Lanarkshire over the course of the week.
 
Susan McMorrin, NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement Senior & Suicide Prevention Lead for South Lanarkshire said: "People who have lived through a suicide attempt often talk about reaching the point where they could see no alternative but to take their own life, and about the days, hours and minutes leading up to this.  They often say they didn’t want to die, how they wanted someone to intervene and stop them, and how they actively sought someone who would sense their despair and ask them whether they were okay.  

It proves that taking a minute to reach out to someone – a complete stranger or close family member or friend can change the course of a life.  Don’t be worried about not being able to find the exact words or give specific advice.  It’s often just the compassion and empathy from others that helps to turn things around for someone and point them towards recovery".

Stigma Free Lanarkshire, in partnership with See Me and NHS Lanarkshire, focus efforts on reducing mental health stigma and discrimination.

"We must continue to reduce suicide rates, by removing the stigma around talking about how you’re feeling and ensuring that immediate and compassionate support is available for those in distress.” 

By reaching out to people going through a difficult time it can make all the difference.  Don’t wait to start a conversation if you think a friend, colleague or family member is struggling.
 
One café will take place on Thursday 13 September between 11am- 1pm, in the Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health charity shop, Cadzow Street, Hamilton.
 
Susan continued: “Asking after someone doesn’t have to be in a café, it can be anywhere.
 
Over the course the week there are a host of events across Lanarkshire giving support and advice as well as a chance to socialise and chat.

In South Lanarkshire events are taking place in:

• Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre
• Strathclyde Park
• Crib Café, Strathaven
• Torrance House Golf Course, East Kilbride
• St John's Church Hall, Carluke
• South Lanarkshire College
• The Hope Café in St Ninian’s Church, Stonehouse

In North Lanarkshire there are events at:

• Coatbridge Health Centre
• Bellshill Cultural Centre 1pm- 3pm
• Motherwell Library 1pm- 3pm
• Edward Lawson Centre, Wishaw
• Ravenscraig Sports Facility
• Kilsyth Health Centre
• Bellshill Library
• Monklands Hospital

Amongst other activities, Stigma Free Lanarkshire (SFL) partnered with NHS Lanarkshire’s Spiritual Care Team on Monday 10^th September hosting an information stall and drop-in at Hairmyres Hospital and on Thursday 13^th September the SFL team will be joining the New College Lanarkshire Inclusion Event at Cumbernauld Campus, 10am to 2pm.

Suicide Prevention mobile app will provide you with further guidance. The App is for ALL individuals within our communities whether they are experiencing suicidal thoughts or helping to support another person.

To download it search for SP NLC and/or click the Google Play Link for android phones or Apple App Store link for iphones.  For additional help and advice for you or the person you’re worried about, contact, Crisis numbers below