Highland Community Planning Partnership launches Lochaber Cares initiative

Issued by The Highland Council in partnership with HCPP

Lochaber Cares initiative for mental health and suicide prevention launches Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 June 2022 with a series of workshop taking place in Fort William, Kinlochleven and Mallaig.

Lochaber Cares is a whole community approach to improving mental health & wellbeing for people across Lochaber.

Our community working together to break down barriers surrounding mental health and letting people know that support is available.

Toolbox Talks have been used by the construction industry for years to communicate essential health and safety information to employees. The Highland Community Planning Partnership has adapted the concept for use in community settings to generate discussions around mental health and wellbeing.                  

The first talk is on Suicide Awareness, Intervention and Prevention. Identifying a person experiencing crisis, trauma and mental health issues is now more than ever, a public health priority. COVID-19 and the restrictions put in place to contain the virus coupled with people living in poverty, financial hardship and unemployment, facing severe/chronic illness, suicide and sudden bereavement have significantly increased the risk of people experiencing a decline in mental wellness.

The Highland Council age-standardised rate for mental illness and suicide is significantly higher than Scotland as a whole, for both men and women in 2016-2020. Highlighting the need for communities to raise awareness and be better informed to support and direct those in need of help.

To promote these talks and support communities in delivering them, a series of workshops will be held in the Lochaber area on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 June 2022.

Monday 27 June talks will be held at the following locations:

• Lochaber Voluntary Action Group – An Drochaid, Claggan Fort William at 15:00 -16:00 – Open to the public attending
• Kinlochleven Leisure centre – 19:00-20:00  Open to the public attending

Tuesday 28 June talks will be held at the following locations:

• High Life Highland, Caol Community Centre – 09:00 – 10:00 Open to the public attending
• Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, Lime Tree Restaurant, Fort William 11:00 – 12:00 – Closed to public attending
• The Highland Council, Charles Kennedy Building 14:00-15:00 – Closed to public attending
• Mallaig Pool & Leisure, 19:00 -20:00 – Guest speaker Claire Wortley from Moods, Meds and Miracles - Open to public attending (max 20 spaces)

Please email Highland.Cares@highland.gov.uk if you require further information.

Highland Community Planning Partnership has a dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery group which signposts individuals and communities to trusted sources of support for mental health and wellbeing including where to get help in a crisis; resources and weblinks to support our mental wellbeing; and learning tools to build skills and confidence in having conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. There is a ‘Prevent Suicide’ Highland app which allows users to complete a ‘Prevent Suicide’ safety plan and can be completed with the help of a trained listener or with a friend or family member.

To download the Prevent Suicide Highland app click here (external link)

Let’s help break down mental health barriers in our community. #timetotalk