Moray suicides decrease
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE number of suicides in Moray has dropped in the last year.
There were 16 suicides in 2011 compared to 21 in 2010.
Good work around suicide prevention in the last few years is perhaps beginning to bear fruit, councillors were told.
However, much more needs to be done to cut the Moray figure, which has been traditionally higher than the Scottish average for years.
A recent study showed that an increasing number of Scottish men are taking their own lives, compared to those from England and Wales.
Lossiemouth Councillor Carolle Ralph said: "I very much welcome the reduction in the number of suicides but 16 is still far too many. That is 16 families whose lives have been torn apart."
Members of the health and social care committee were given an outline of the work done in Moray under the Scottish Government’s ‘Choose Life’ programme.
The aim is to promote even greater awareness of mental health and support mechanisms over the next three years.
Breathing Space is a national helpline people can call 6pm-2am Monday to Thursday and 6pm-6am at weekends. The number is 0800 83 85 87.
The Samaritans is also there to provide support and the local number is 08457 90 90 90.
