AT least two people take their own lives in Scotland every day and now the Scottish Association for Mental Health have launched a campaign in a bid to combat the problem.
TWO people commit suicide every day in Scotland, according to a mental health charity.
The figure is four times greater than the number of people killed in road accidents, the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SamH) said.
It has now launched a new campaign, Two Too Many, encouraging members of the public to help reduce suicide by bringing the issue to the forefront of discussions and challenging any stigma over it.
Suicide is seldom talked about, particularly among men who are three times more likely to take their own life than women, SamH said.
Television adverts showing the impact of suicide on two families are to be broadcast during the campaign, and people are being encouraged to donate £3 by texting TALK to 70040.
SamH's national programme for suicide prevention aims to help people affected by suicide by providing information, services, resources and training.
As part of the programme, the charity recently launched Community Support Network which helps people with a friend or family member who are having suicidal thoughts. It provides support and information on how to get help for the person, and on looking after themselves.
The service is available in Glasgow and will be extended to other parts of the country next year.
The charity's chief executive, Billy Watson, said: "At SamH we see the devastation caused by suicide on a daily basis. That's why we launched our national programme for suicide prevention, in addition to the work we already do in mental health across Scotland.
"We believe suicide can be prevented, and we hope the public will support the Two Too Many campaign."
SamH has trained two-thirds of its 700 staff in suicide intervention skills and in the last year its workers carried out 207 interventions.
The figure is four times greater than the number of people killed in road accidents, the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SamH) said.
It has now launched a new campaign, Two Too Many, encouraging members of the public to help reduce suicide by bringing the issue to the forefront of discussions and challenging any stigma over it.
Suicide is seldom talked about, particularly among men who are three times more likely to take their own life than women, SamH said.
Television adverts showing the impact of suicide on two families are to be broadcast during the campaign, and people are being encouraged to donate £3 by texting TALK to 70040.
SamH's national programme for suicide prevention aims to help people affected by suicide by providing information, services, resources and training.
As part of the programme, the charity recently launched Community Support Network which helps people with a friend or family member who are having suicidal thoughts. It provides support and information on how to get help for the person, and on looking after themselves.
The service is available in Glasgow and will be extended to other parts of the country next year.
The charity's chief executive, Billy Watson, said: "At SamH we see the devastation caused by suicide on a daily basis. That's why we launched our national programme for suicide prevention, in addition to the work we already do in mental health across Scotland.
"We believe suicide can be prevented, and we hope the public will support the Two Too Many campaign."
SamH has trained two-thirds of its 700 staff in suicide intervention skills and in the last year its workers carried out 207 interventions.
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