Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire 2015 Greg Burgess Choose Life Co-ordinator

Choose Life Began in 2002 Strategy to reduce suicide in Scotland by 20% by suicides in 2013 On average 1 suicide a week in North Lanarkshire.

Scottish Suicide Information Database (SCOT SID) 3,059 deaths from ‘probable suicide’ in Scotland between 2009 and 2012 Half were years old More likely to be divorced / single 75% male Two thirds were in employment Deprivation appeared to be a factor 75% at a private dwelling

Suicide How do you know if someone is thinking about suicide? ?

Myths about suicide MYTH 1: Asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide attempts. MYTH 2: People who talk about suicide never attempt or complete suicide. MYTH 3: If a person has made previous attempts they won't do it for real.

Myths about suicide MYTH 4: If somebody wants to end their life they will, there is nothing anybody can do. MYTH 5: Some people are always suicidal. MYTH 6: When a person begins to feel better, the danger is over.

Scot SID 2009 – 2012 Over half (58%) of the Scottish residents in ScotSID had at least one mental health drug prescription dispensed in the community within the 12 months before death. At least 20% had been offered a psychiatric outpatient appointment during the 12 months before death; records show that 16% attended their appointment and 4% did not attend. A&E records showed that 16% attended A&E in the 30 days before death, and 25% attended within the three months before death.

Suicide in Scotland According to the Confidential Inquiry into homicide and suicide you are twice as likely to die by suicide living in Scotland compared to England and Wales. Why? On average in Western countries where alcohol is freely available 40-50% of suicides involve alcohol.

Licensing Forum

Training ASIST SafeTALK SuicideTALK

From the 1st January 2013 – 31st December 2013 there were: 46 suicides 57 drug overdoses 178 absconders and 1161 attempted suicides recorded by Police Scotland within North Lanarkshire calls over the 12 month period. This resulted in police officers responding to an average 3.9 calls per day, 28 calls per week RESTRICTED NORTH LANARKSHIRE OVERVIEW

Local awareness

Greg Burgess