A SHARP rise in suicides in Scotland has prompted a call for an urgent “national conversation” about the issue.
Statistics from the National Records of Scotland show that 728 people died by suicide in 2016 – 56 more deaths than the previous year. The suicide rate for males is more than two and a half times that for females while people living in the most deprived areas are over three times more likely to die by suicide than people living in the least deprived areas.
In response to the figures and ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, The Mental Health Foundation Scotland is today launching a public campaign which includes a twelve point action plan on fostering good mental health.
New Freedom of Information data obtained by the charity reveals a significant reduction in suicide prevention investment in some of Scotland’s local authorities. The charity’s recommendations include the ring-fencing of suicide prevention funding by local authorities and embedding compulsory suicide prevention training for all clinical health workers, allied health professionals and pharmacists.
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