Making improvements in how people think and behave about suicide is complex and needs a range of actions and approaches. Crucial to this is the co-ordination and delivery of efforts at both national and local levels.
NHS Health Scotland leads the implementation of key aspects of the Choose Life strategy through its Choose Life national programme. The programme brings together knowledge, expertise and experience in:
It can draw in further contributions from other parts of NHS Health Scotland when required.
The Choose Life national team plays a central role in sharing and disseminating developments and what work is going on, through:
Training and raising awareness is a key aspect of suicide prevention. The Choose Life national training team provides a range of essential services and support to ensure that suicide prevention training is delivered across Scotland and the quality is maintained.
As part of the anti-stigma and raising awareness work we run a national campaign and work with Samaritans to ensure that the media adhere to guidelines when reporting a death by suicide.
The national programme provides advice and support to local areas to put in place evaluation to ensure that they are achieving their outcomes. NHS Health Scotland plays a contributory role in ensuring that relevant research is commissioned and findings from research are acted upon. In order to support and develop practice the national programme brings together experts and evidence to produce relevant guidance.
Choose Life work is delivered in a variety of ways at a local level.
Local authorities are each expected to have and update a local suicide prevention action plan. These are usually monitored by the local Community Planning Partnership. The majority of the 32 local authorities in Scotland have a Choose Life Co-ordinator who oversees delivery of the work in their area and ensures a multi-disciplinary approach to suicide prevention. They often co-ordinate and deliver local suicide prevention training and run campaigns to raise awareness. The local authority is responsible for allocating the funds for delivery of the local Choose Life work.
NHS boards are actively engaged in suicide prevention work through delivery of key services in their area. As well as this they are expected to maintain the standard of 50% of frontline and key staff being trained in suicide prevention. This includes staff working in accident and emergency units, paramedics, GPs and other Primary Care staff as well as those working in mental health services.
Not-for-profit organisations are also involved, with many providing support and other services to people at risk of suicide or who have been affected by suicide. They are key partners in supporting delivery of the Choose Life strategy through these services and their participation in stakeholder groups both nationally and locally.
Other key organisations taking part in the implementation of the Choose Life strategy include the Scottish police and prison services and universities. They ensure staff attend training in suicide prevention and support the development and implementation of suicide prevention policies.
To find out about suicide prevention work in your area, you can view the local action plans in your area or contact your Choose Life Co-ordinator for more information.
Training forms a significant part of the Choose Life national strategy and action plan (external link) to prevent suicide in Scotland. By training a proportion of the population, more skilled and confident helpers could be available to explore thoughts of suicide and intervene.
The national training support team (NTST) provides strategic direction for the national training programme, creating networks of organisations and partners to develop and deliver training that meets the needs of Scotland. This is done through evaluation, sharing effective practice, producing guidance, networking opportunities, and advice to local areas on the implementation of training plans. We are always keen to hear from organisations that are interested in getting involved or want to start training. You can email us on training@chooselife.net.
The trainer network is supported, in partnership with the network itself, through the:
In addition to the national courses a range of training is being developed and implemented to meet local needs. This includes training around self harm, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and emotional literacy.
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