An event is to be held in Hairmyres Hospital to support those whose lives have been touched by suicide.
The loss of a loved one to suicide can happen to anyone – regardless of gender, age or ethnic background. As such, the gathering is for people of all faiths and none and will be held in the hospital’s Sanctuary on Tuesday September 7 at 6.30pm.
It has been organised as part of Suicide Prevention Week and is open to staff, patients, visitors or indeed any member of the local community whose life has been affected in some way by suicide.
NHS Lanarkshire chaplain Marian McElhinney said: “Suicide Prevention Week is an opportunity to encourage those who may feel suicidal to ask for help and for the rest of us to learn how to be more confident in giving support.
“The gathering will also hopefully give comfort and support to those whose lives have been affected by this tragic loss.”
The gathering is one of several local events organised in partnership with Choose Life, the Scottish Government suicide prevention campaign.
Every day around two people die from suicide in Scotland and there is a strategy in place to reduce the number of suicides by 20 per cent by 2013.
Suicide prevention week runs from 6-12 September.
If you or someone you know needs help, speak to your GP or contact the following agencies who will be glad to help:
• Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (free to call 6pm -2am and weekends) www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk
• Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 (24hr service) www.samaritans.org .
• Childline 0800 1111 (free 24hr service) www.childline.org.uk
• National Debt Line 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
• Or for mental health information in Lanarkshire visit: ww.lanarkshirementalhealth.org.uk
For more information on suicide prevention visit www.chooselife.net
For more information on this release contact Eddie Docherty, NHS Lanarkshire communications officer on 01698 245 213 or email eddie.docherty@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk