Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP encourages constituents to be ALERT
The Scottish Government has announced a range of new measures to tackle suicide throughout Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse SNP MSP Christina McKelvie said.
Within the recently announced Scottish Government Programme for Government, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged over £250 million to reform mental health support and treatment for adults and children.
The funding will include delivering 430 new school, college and university counsellors, and fast-track specialist treatment systems for those with serious mental illness.
The news comes after the Scottish Government published Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan ‘Every Life Matters’. The Plan, published in August, includes the pledge to reduce suicides in Scotland by 20% by 2022.
On World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September), local constituency MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie, encouraged her constituents to be A.L.E.R.T (Ask about suicide, Listen, Encourage help, Right now, Tell someone)
“The Scottish Government believes that no death by suicide should be regarded as either acceptable or inevitable.
“World Suicide Prevention Day allows us to take stock of the work we have achieved to reduce suicide in Scotland – a 20% between 2002-2006 and 2013-2017 – but we know we can do more.
“That is why we have published Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan ‘Every Life Matters’, with a clear aim to reduce suicides in Scotland by 20% by 2022.
“I am also encouraging all my constituents to be A.L.E.R.T – to ask, listen and encourage those at risk of suicide to get immediate help tell someone how they’re feeling.
“Opening up the conversation around suicide is absolutely vital in defeating suicide and mental health stigma and in saving the lives of my constituents.
“If anyone needs help or support, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 or on Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87”