HCPP Backs Suicide And Mental Health Campaigns To Support People During The Festive Season

22nd December 2022

Winter and the festive season can be a tough time for many and this year could be particularly difficult given the Cost of Living crisis. Highland Community Planning Partnership (HCPP) want to raise awareness and let people know that support is at hand from a range of local and national organisations.

Samaritans' new winter campaign #break-the-silence is encouraging people to open up about their struggles with mental health and suicidal feelings. Every 90 minutes in the UK, someone dies by suicide, but talking saves lives.

Janet Guthrie from Samaritans-Inverness said: "This time of year can be challenging for all sorts of reasons. Whether its family problems, financial worries, or the grief for the loss of a loved one, the festive season can often magnify these pressures which might be especially hard this year, with many households facing the Cost of Living crisis."

The Scottish Association for Mental Health's "Ask Them About Suicide" campaign is spearheaded by a short film highlighting just how easily someone's true feelings can be hidden, and how asking the right question can change everything.

Help is a phone call or a text away. Useful National contacts, information on how you can seek help or assist others in crisis and ways to create a safety plan are available via the Prevent Suicide Highland App that is free to download on Apple and Android mobile phones. Available using the link provided: Highland Mental Wellbeing - https://www.highlandmentalwellbeing.scot.nhs.uk/

If you or someone you know requires urgent help with suicidal thoughts, call:

Samaritans - 116 123 or Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87

Other local helplines and charities are:

Mikey's Line - 07786 207755 (Sun. to Thur. 6pm - 10pm, Fri. to Sat. 7pm - 7am)

Ewen’s Room - 0800 689 3317 (Weekdays 5pm - 10pm; Weekends 12 noon - 10pm)

James Support Group - 07563 572 471 (24 hour helpline)

Listening Ear Caithness- Facebook eListeningEarCaithness www.listeningearcaithness.org