Motion: Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide Prevention Day

Lodged by Mark McDonald Standard Motion 22 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises that 10 September is Suicide Prevention Day 2020; considers this Awareness Day to be an excellent and necessary opportunity to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by people who have mental health issues, and to help break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide; understands that, according to the Scottish Public Health Observatory, in 2018, 784 people were believed to have died by suicide in Scotland, an increase of 14.1% on the previous year, the second highest rate in the in the UK; highlights that 74 were from the NHS Grampian area; acknowledges the impact that COVID-19 continues to have on people's mental health and wellbeing, and accepts that these effects will likely be felt for some time to come; commends the "Prevent Suicide" app, which is aimed at users in the north east of Scotland and which has reached in excess of 51,000 people, providing helpful information for those affected in any way by suicide; applauds the work of local Aberdeen-based organisations, including Man Chat, Mental Health Aberdeen, Scottish Association of Mental Health, Penumbra and Turning Point Scotland, which offer support to everyone who might need it; believes that suicides are tragedies, and reminds everyone that behind every statistic is an individual with a family and a community devastated by their loss.

Supporters (22)