Staff News - September 2022
World Suicide Prevention Day
Dear Colleagues,
World Suicide Prevention Day will be marked on Saturday 10 September 2022 and the theme this year is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’.
Following an extremely challenging and difficult year, creating hope and raising awareness of suicide prevention has never been more important. COVID-19, inflated living costs and other global factors has altered our world and may impact on some people’s Mental Health.
We are a very large workforce and therefore right now we could know or even be someone that is struggling to cope with life’s challenges. I want to remind you all that you matter, and you are never alone. The Highland Council has many trained mental health first aiders, who are willing and able to support any member of staff. We also have a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - which is a free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service that offers you and your family professional support. With nurturing communication and discussion, a smile, a nod, or a "you okay?" we can all recognise mental health problems that colleagues may be experiencing early on, so that appropriate help and support can be offered.
By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.
World Suicide Prevention Day is one day of the year in which global awareness is raised of a significant public health crisis. Highland has had a small decrease in deaths by probable suicide, however, worryingly, the five year average figures are higher in Highland than the national average. Staff, communities, and people of the Highlands are all encouraged to collectively work together with health professionals, charities, schools and organisations to demystify the stigma around suicide and poor mental health and to talk openly about our own mental health.
The Council will be marking the day on Saturday 10 September with our partners to collectively raise awareness and support communities across Highland to recognise the harms of suicide, raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage meaningful and safe conversations around suicide.
If you have been affected by suicide, or are concerned about someone, or are having suicidal thoughts please come along to our Suicide Aware Drop in Sessions on Saturday 10 September 2022. There will be opportunities to share your experiences and find support networks within our community. You are not alone, come and join us for a free cuppa and a chat. There will be information stands, talks and lots of support.
Suicide Aware Drop in Sessions are being held at:
- Inverness Library, Farraline Park: 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Lochaber Hope, New Connections, Waverley House, High Street, Fort William, PH33 6XX - 10:00am – 2pm
Suicide is preventable. If you, or someone you know needs support in relation to suicide, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87
Visit our staff mental health toolkit here
To access our 24/7 employee support visit: https://thehighlandcouncil.spectrum.life/login If you are asked for an organisation code please use: j5n2Rh73
Our latest staff news can be accessed here
Please be kind to yourself and your colleagues – it can make such a difference. And a sincere thank you for having the courage to care or self-care, more than ever your support and nurture is so important.
Donna
