Over the course of the last month, it has become clear that mental health and suicide prevention have been high on the Scottish Government’s agenda. What steps are being taken to improve the situation here in Scotland?

Just two weeks ago, the Scottish Government announced that, as part of its new action plan, it shall introduce and fund training for professionals within the healthcare sector which would improve their knowledge of suicide prevention. This training would target those in the “frontline services” and shall therefore include pharmacists and others who are employed by the NHS.

The Shocking Statistics

This intervention comes after the news that suicide has become the biggest killer in men under 50, a completely shocking statistic which brings the topic of better mental health training and assistance to the forefront in Parliament.

National statistics also suggest that the three major factors which contribute to feelings of suicide are bereavement, relationship breakdown and financial pressure, things which are all too common due to the financial crisis and the rise in life expectancy which means many individuals are forced to deal with the deaths of more elderly family members who are living longer than ever before.

In addition to the above concerns, wait times for specialist care is something which has been particularly concerning in recent years. In 2015, targets were introduced which aimed to reduce the wait times to see a specialist, however, the NHS was not able to meet these goals – 19% of people were forced to wait over 18 weeks before seeing a healthcare profession who would be able to give them effective advice regarding their mental health conditions. This waiting period can seem particularly daunting for someone who is facing a mental health issue or experiencing suicidal thoughts and therefore proved to be rather ineffective.

As a result, it is clear that this new initiative to introduce training is a huge step in terms of improving the lives of those who face mental health problems as it can help those who would otherwise struggle to cope with no assistance until they finally attend their appointment with a specialist. It would also help the Scottish Government to reduce the rate of suicide in Scotland by 20% in 2022 as they aim to do as well as increase the availability of support before, during and after a crisis. If these targets are to be met, it would mean that 140 lives are saved each year.

The Game Plan

In order to provide this suicide prevention plan, a National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group will be established by the Scottish Government next month (September) therefore demonstrating their recognition of the seriousness of the issue of mental health issues and suicide in Scotland. The Government decided to provide a £3 million fund which will support the plan and the establishment of this crucial group.

Although it is sometimes hard to realise the magnitude of the issue of mental health, investigations have been carried out in recent years in order to break down barriers and begin having conversations regarding the once taboo topic. In some shocking statistics released by the BBC in 2016, it was revealed that 1 in 3 appointments made to a GP surgery relates to mental health problems. This clearly alludes to the complex yet all too common nature of these types of issues.

Whilst such statistics make it clear that some improvements still need to be made, much has happened over recent years in order to improve understanding of such problems as well as reducing the stigma which surrounds mental health. Reducing such stigma is something which should be deemed a priority as it is believed that people who suffer mental health difficulties continue to be one of the most stigmatised groups in the world today. For this reason, many attempts are being made to tackle the stigma. An example of this was the establishment of World Mental Health Day which takes place annually on the 10th October. The event has the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and providing a platform to allow individuals to talk about what still must be done to make mental health care accessible for people worldwide.

Kate Spade –  A Talent Taken Too Soon

However it is clear that these solutions hoped to reduce stigma have not been entirely effective. This is clear when we consider the tragic case of Kate Spade, a successful and incredibly well known fashion designer who took her own life very recently. Although it has not been confirmed, some reports state that Kate was reluctant to seek help for her mental issues as she feared it may endanger her brand and therefore implying that she feared that the public would be unwilling to accept and collaborate with those who struggle with their mental health. As horrific as it sounds, some individuals choose to ignore mental health problems and leave those who experience these difficult conditions to suffer in silence, experiencing isolation and social deprivation.

Mental Health – The Roundup

I’m certainly glad to see that steps are being taken in terms of improving mental health here in Scotland. We have certainly come far in introducing wonderful helplines, such as The Samaritans, whose 20,000 trained volunteers aim to support anyone who feels as though they are struggling to cope. However, I recognise that mental health services of this nature must be available worldwide.

In terms of what we at home can do, I believe its crucial to realise the importance of providing support to those around us. Its often underestimated just how much a heartfelt chat can mean to someone who is feeling low – kindness is certainly always the best policy. In order to be happy with ourselves, we must try to be as nice as possible to one another and therefore create a pleasant atmosphere within our own educational establishment but also out with the four walls of the school building.

For anyone who is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing a difficult time in their lives, its crucial to remember that our school has a wonderful group of guidance teachers who work tirelessly to ensure the happiness and, above all, safety of the pupils of Saint Andrew’s and Saint Bride’s. Any one of these teachers will be happy to listen to any of your concerns and give you the relevant help and advice.

Without doubt, I hope to see improvements with regards to the statistics detailing mental health issues and suicide during my lifetime. I remain proud of the attempts our country is making to tackle this huge problem and recognise that we must continue to support such efforts.

By: Katie Hunter, Deputy Editor In Chief

Sources: Carluke Gazette, gov.scot, Daily Mail, CNN, samaritans.org

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