National award for Inverclyde Choose Life project

AN innovative Inverclyde initiative to help raise awareness of the issue of suicide has won a national award. Choose Life Inverclyde was named Best Partnership Working (Public/Voluntary) at the Association for Public Service Awards in Cardiff.

The Inverclyde Council-funded and co-ordinated scheme commissions a range of projects which have been developed with partner organisations, community groups and individuals.

One of the main successes of Choose Life Inverclyde is the unprecedented co-ordinated approach to suicide prevention.

There has been an increase of 37% in the number of referrals and greater awareness of services for those people affected by the issue of suicide.

More than 800 people have been trained in suicide prevention programmes. There is evidence that people are more confident in their handling and approach to those whose lives are at risk of suicide and local people are more comfortable about talking about suicide.

Brian Young, Choose Life Co-ordinator, said: “The award is an accolade and in recognition of the tireless work being undertaken in our locality and beyond in the fields of suicide prevention, mental health improvement and more importantly in trying to make a difference through changing culture, attitudes and challenging the stigma associated with suicide and mental health.”

Councillor Joe McIlwee, Inverclyde Council’s convener of Health and Social Work, said “Over the past 35 years there has been a sharp increase in suicides in Scotland with two people per day taking their lives. Choose Life has shown that by working in partnership with key local and national agencies we really can make a difference and move towards our target of reducing suicide by 20% by 2013.”