Events for Suicide Prevention Week 7/9/11
A host of activities are to take place in the Western Isles during Suicide Prevention Week to raise public awareness of suicide and what can be done to prevent it, including:
• A keynote speech in both Stornoway and Uist. The speakers at these events will be Cameron Stark, a Consultant in Public Health who will speak on a conceptual model of suicide in rural areas, and Christine MacKechnie, the Service Coordinator for Counselling and Family Mediation Western Isles, who will speak on the provision and value of counselling and mediation for young people.
The Uist event will take place on Wednesday 14th September at the Dark Island Hotel from 11am.
The Stornoway event will be held in the Council Chambers on Thursday 15th September from 12noon.
There are a number of public places available and if you would like to attend please contact Elaine MacKay on 01851708035 to reserve a place.
•A Walk for Hope will be held in Stornoway on Friday 16th September to mark the end of the week’s activities. This event is open to everyone. The walk will meet at 1pm at the Woodlands Centre. Bring your lunch along, for a leisurely walk along the shore and a stop at the picnic area for a picnic lunch. For more information or to book on the Walk please contact Elaine Mackay.
•A service to mark Suicide Prevention Awareness Week will be held on Wednesday 14th September at 7.30pm in the Castlebay Church. All welcome.
• A Remembrance event for those touched by suicide will be held on Monday 12th September in the Salvation Army Hall, in Stornoway. Refreshments will be served from 6pm with the event itself will begin at 6.30pm. All welcome.
•Choose Life’s partner in suicide prevention – the Samaritans are also holding a number of events during this week. If you would like to consider becoming a volunteer with Samaritans, there is an Information Evening at Samaritans’ premises in Bayhead at 7pm on Friday 16th September. Like every other branch of Samaritans, the Western Isles branch is an autonomous local charity and is responsible for its own fundraising, which is always a challenge.
The Samaritans have also set up a Support Group for people bereaved by suicide.
The aim of the Group is to provide a safe confidential environment in which bereaved people can meet for mutual support and share experiences and feelings and to show people that they are not alone in their grief. The Group meets at Samaritans’ premises at 27 Bayhead, Stornoway on the third Monday of each month at 7pm, with the next meeting being held on Monday 19th September.
Samaritans provide confidential emotional support to people in distress and at risk of dying by suicide, on the phone, face to face, by email, text and letter. Talking openly about overwhelming feelings in confidence and without being judged can be a huge relief and is often the first step in finding a way to cope.
Anyone who is feeling down, depressed, anxious or stressed can call Samaritans anytime
on 08457 90 90 90 , email jo@samaritans.org , text 07725 90 90 90 or visit Samaritans
Western Isles at 27 Bayhead, Stornoway on Thursdays from 6pm-