'Talk about it' plea over suicide

Campaign supporter Mark Holland's mother took her life earlier this year

Radio and newspaper adverts are being used to raise awareness of a campaign to reduce the number of deaths from suicide in Scotland.

The initiative, at the start of national suicide week, encourages people to talk about their problems.

Each year about 800 Scots take their own lives - many under the age of 35.

The campaign was launched by a group of 18 to 35-year-olds at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow. It uses the slogan: "Don't hide it. Talk about it."

The initiative is part of "Choose Life", Scotland's national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide.

Programme manager Dougie Paterson said it was vital that vulnerable people be encouraged to talk about their problems.

Taboo subject

"Suicide is a taboo and difficult subject to talk about and secrecy and avoidance is common," he said.

"This, along with the stigma associated with suicide, are major obstacles to effective suicide prevention.

"There is a great need to change our approach to suicide and increase awareness and understanding about suicide.

"The campaign aim is to raise awareness and promote the message that talking about suicide can save lives. Many people feel that talking about suicide can increase risk - the opposite is true."

One of those supporting the launch of the campaign was 27-year-old Mark Holland, whose mother committed suicide in March.

"For me it's important to talk about things. I feel like I'm going through therapy, the more I talk about it, I feel like I'm getting better," he said.

"It's harder for some people to open up than it is for others, but we just need the message across that it's the best way to help.

"There's no sort of crazy formula or magic fix for it, it's just sitting and chatting about how you feel."

Since the launch of the Choose Life strategy and action plan in 2002, Scotland's suicide rate has decreased by 13%.

Within this there was a 14% reduction in male suicides and a 10% reduction in female suicides.

The overall aim of the strategy was to reduce suicide in Scotland by 20% by 2013.