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Choose Life is a national strategy and action plan aimed at addressing the rising rate of suicide in Scotland. It was published by the Scottish Executive in December 2002, and is part of a wider approach to social inclusion and the improvement of the overall health and well being of the people of Scotland.
Choose Life requires action at both a national and local level. At a national level, the Scottish Executive is setting up a National Implementation Support Team. At a local level action plans were submitted in December 2003 and set out how Choose Life will be addressed locally.
Why is Suicide Prevention a priority in Scotland?
Over 600 people commit suicide in Scotland every year and over 7000 people are treated in hospital each year for incidents of non-fatal self-harm. Within the general population, 13% reported having suicidal thoughts, 4% had attempted suicide and 2% had committed an act of self-harm at some time in their lives (Office for National Statistics, 2002). It is estimated that approximately 1 in 17 (250,000) people are having thoughts of suicide at any one time in Scotland. Suicide affects us all. Anyone can be at risk, men and women of all ages, occupations and socio-economic groups. Many people will know someone who has attempted or completed suicide. The impacts of the event are devastating for all involved. It is therefore concerning that the rate of suicide in Scotland is high. For this reason, the Scottish Executive has described suicide as an urgent public health issue.
What funding is available?
The Scottish Executive has made £9 million available across Scotland over a three-year period from 2003 to 2006 to support the local work associated with meeting the Choose Life objectives. Guidance has been issued to local authorities about the priorities which include improved co-ordination across agencies, the development of innovative approaches which contribute to the prevention of suicide and the development and implementation of local training programmes.
What is happening in North Lanarkshire?
What are the facts?
The suicide rates for Lanarkshire are lower than for Scotland as a whole. Motherwell Local Health Care Co-operative (LHCC) area consistently has the highest rates for males between 1993 and 2002, and Cumbernauld LHCC area for females. The lowest for both sexes is Coatbridge.
Other than overall increase, there does not seem to particular trends. Rather rates fluctuate quite considerably. The rates for males across all age groups have fluctuated considerably since 1990. However 2002 saw the highest rates overall especially in the 15-24 and 25-34 year old age ranges. Males' rates are consistently more than those of females.
Implementation Group
In response to the publication of Choose Life, a steering group was formed as a sub group of Well-being and Care Corporate Working Group.
A local Action Plan for North Lanarkshire was completed in 2003.
There is also a webiste Well on the Web/ Chooses Life that can be accessed and /or for further information you can contact us by using the "Contact Us" box at the top right hand side of your screen.
Internantional Information can also be obtained through the International Association for Suicide Prevention
If you are feeling depressed and/or suicidal please contact the Samaritans (national web page) or you can telephone them on 08457 909090
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