THERE IS ALWAYS LOVE AND HOPE
Suicide Prevention Scotland has launched its new, long term suicide prevention campaign and is starting Scotland's biggest ever conversation about suicide.
Talking about suicide is the best way of preventing it from happening - the campaign aims to normalise the idea of talking about suicide, give people the confidence to ask about suicide and to direct people to the new website.
The new website has information about support available for adults and young people, for people who are having thoughts of suicide as well as people who are worried about someone and people who have been bereaved by suicide. The campaign will be running in many different places including social media, railways and buses.
The website has a directory and resources for professionals. If you are a local service providing suicide prevention support you can add your service to the directory using this form.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK - GET INVOLVED!
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is 'Community' which fits really well with our local community mental health initiative Creating Hope in the Scottish Borders.
The Mental Health Foundation wants to use the week to celebrate the power and importance of community - being part of a safe and positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing.
We'll be sharing our own local stories about what communities around the Borders are doing to cultivate mentally healthy communities - many of them are signing up to our local Creating Hope Awards (more information below)
You can find out more about the week here:
Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Foundation
CREATING HOPE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE BORDERS
Over the past year the Mental Health Improvement and Suicide Prevention Steering Group has been promoting the ‘Creating Hope Awards’ scheme for mentally healthy and suicide safer communities.
We are grateful to all the groups and organisations who have already achieved one of the awards - it has been humbling to see the enthusiasm from so many people who want to undertake training to build up their knowledge and skills and make their spaces safer. You can visit the members page to see who has achieved the award.
We are also grateful to NHS24 service Breathing Space, Scotland's emotional support helpline, which continues to lend support to the awards scheme.
A really important part of the application process for the awards is to demonstrate how your group or organisation meets the 'good mental health practices'. These practices are about culture and behaviour and understanding what helps to protect and promote good mental health - things that we have to work on over time to create the conditions and environments for good mental health.
We’re keen to encourage all groups, teams and organisations to work towards an award and help us to build more mentally healthy and suicide safer communities in the Borders - why not sign up and make the pledge to help create your own mentally healthy and suicide safer community?
To find out more about the awards and how to apply please visit www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/creating-hope
Find out what events are coming up
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