Roadshow To Focus On Rural Suicides

The high number of suicides in rural communities is to be addressed in a series of roadshow training sessions and talks in the Highlands. The roadshow includes a group of organisations which work to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Discussions are designed to encourage people to examine attitudes towards suicide and become involved in suicide prevention efforts. A film of poetry readings has been released to coincide with the tour.

The Choose Life Rural Alliance includes organisations such as the Samaritans, Suicide Awareness Group, Breathing Space, Cruse and Hi-Arts. Coordinator Angela Fisher said: “The RuralRoadshow is a way of reaching out to people in remote and rural communities and giving them important information and training. The talks are aimed at making it easier for people to raise the subject of suicide when they are worried about someone.”

Two-day training workshops have been designed to give people working in support services the skills to recognise when someone is at risk of suicide and information on how to help them. A film featuring readings by the Hi-Arts culture group’s poet Stephen Watts has been released on DVD.

Mr Watts spent time working with people who had been affected by suicide and it is hoped the film will spread greater understanding of the issue.

The roadshow starts in Wick on 14 May and will visit 16 communities in the Highlands over the period of a month.