Local organisations to mark World Suicide Prevention Day
A series of events and support sessions are being hosted by community-based groups and organisations to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday 10th September.
The activities being planned across the local area are supported by small grants made available from Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership and Falkirk’s Suicide Prevention Group, which includes representation from NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Council, local emergency services, and community/third sector organisations. The administration of the fund has been supported by our partners at CVS Falkirk.
Events and activities will promote the theme of this years’ awareness day, “changing the narrative”. It is hoped that bringing together people will support a shift in culture from silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding and support.
Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a more supportive and understanding society.
The following organisations and activities have been supported by the Partnership’s Suicide Prevention Day small grants:
| Organisation | Planned activity |
| Pause & Breathe | Hosting small sessions for anyone affected by the loss of a loved one through suicide or who has experienced thoughts about death by suicide. Pause and Breathe supports people using breathwork and movement designed to help process grief; offering a listening space; and a creative activity to build on hope. Further information about this organisation: www.pauseandbreathe.co.uk |
| Barnardo’s | School-based coffee mornings will be open to parents and carers and an office-based coffee morning will be open to all families currently accessing one of Barnardo’s services, or on their waiting list. The coffee mornings encourage conversations around changing the narrative about suicide. |
| C-19 Café Long Covid Cuppa | Based in Brightons, Falkirk, the Long Covid Cuppa (C-19 Café) will host a “Hope Café” for members of the Long Covid Cuppa group to attend and invite a friend to enjoy a cuppa and light refreshments. Further information on the CVS website and the Café’s facebook group. |
| The Braveheart Association | Braveheart offers wellbeing related activities across the Falkirk area. A series of sessions are being held including walks; community meals; yoga; mindfulness sessions; staff training; and workshops covering active listening and problem solving skills. To get involved in the Braveheart Association’s activities, learn more on their website. |
| Central Wellbeing | An afternoon tea on 10 September will invite the local community to learn about local services and support will be available. This event will be open to anyone who is experiencing poor mental health or is feeling lonely or isolated. Further information will be available on the Central Wellbeing SCIO facebook page. |
| Aberlour Family Support Centre | The Aberlour Family Support Centre will be organising activities for Dads who use the service, offering mental health and wellbeing support through fitness training and a session on healthy eating, nutrition, and cooking for your family. For more information about Aberlour and the local support available, visit the Aberlour website. |
| Samaritans of Falkirk and Central Scotland | Falkirk’s local branch of the Samaritans will use their small grant funding to promote the support they offer and their local Dawn Walk – a 5k sunrise walk to fundraise and support Samaritans activities. For more information about the Samaritans, visit their website. |
Mental health & wellbeing resources
Further support can be found at:
- FDAMH, Falkirk’s Mental Health Association – call 01324 671 600 Monday to Thursday (9am-5pm) or Friday (9am-4pm)
- Breathing Space – Scotland’s national phone support line for people aged over 16+, call 0800 83 85 87, Mon-Friday, 6pm to 2am. 24 hrs at weekends.
- Samaritans – call 116 123 for 24/7 support
- Shout– Free confidential texting service for all ages. Text FALKIRK to 85258, for 24/7 support