Samaritans Scotland celebrated the success of its dedicated West Highlands and Skye project at a showcase event today.
The event was held at the Highland Cinema in Fort William, with a range of local supporters and partner organisations in attendance, as well as Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.
The project – funded by the Scottish Government Transition and Recovery Fund - was launched in 2022 with the aim of reducing suicide risk and improving mental wellbeing in the area.
The audience heard short speeches from the Minister; Danielle Rowley, head of Policy and Communications at Samaritans Scotland, and Lowri Richards, Tenant Participation Officer from Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association.
Attendees were also treated to a film created by local film maker, Beth Chalmers from Oban, highlighting the project’s work over the last year and speaking to people from the area about their life and mental wellbeing.
With a particular focus on reaching isolated workers, the project also raised awareness of support services available, including the Samaritans helpline and workplace training.
At the showcase, Samaritans Scotland shared a research report, created in partnership with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), exploring ‘Mental health and wellbeing protective factors of lone and isolated workers in the West Highlands and Skye’.
The research explored the lone working experiences of a range of different professions from throughout the area and highlights what helps to support mental health when working in a lone or isolated environment.
A question and answer session featuring a panel of Anna McBride, Ewen's Room; Kate Lamont, SRUC; Gavin Major and Keith Walker, both Samaritans volunteers; Beth Chalmers, project videographer, and Fiona Thompson, project manager with Samaritans Scotland, brought the event to a close.
Danielle Rowley, Head of Policy and Communications at Samaritans Scotland, said: “Data from the National Records of Scotland had shown that the Highlands region recorded the second highest rate of probable suicides in Scotland between 2017 and 2021, which highlighted a clear need for suicide prevention work in the area.
“Samaritans’ own research also found evidence of considerable stigma around mental health and local narratives about suicide in the Western Highlands.
“Our project team has led a multi-faceted approach in the West Highlands and Skye, including awareness-raising campaigns and delivering training in local communities and workplaces, which we hope has and is continuing to make a real difference in the area.
“We are grateful for the Scottish Government’s support with the project and it was an absolute pleasure to celebrate the team’s hard work and show the Minister for Mental Wellbeing – and our supporters - all that has been achieved over the last year.”
Fiona Thompson, Samaritans Scotland West Highlands and Skye Project Manager, said: “We know that issues of isolation, access to health services and stigma can often make seeking help and support challenging in a rural area.
“We also recognise that the geography of the West Highlands and the nature of many key industries – such as tourism and aquaculture – can create issues of isolation and a lack of connection.
“It has been wonderful to meet and connect with so many people across the area as part of our outreach work and community and employer training programme.
“We hope that the skills participants have been equipped with will have a real and lasting impact, and that they continue to grow in confidence to support themselves and others.”
Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, said: “This project is about building connections in rural communities so that we can look after the mental health and wellbeing of the people who live there.
“It is vital that our support looks and feels right, so that it resonates with people and supports them to take the first step of reaching out for help. Or, in the case of employers, to help them feel safe and confident to ask after an employee’s mental health.”
To find out more about Samaritans Scotland’s work in the West Highland and Skye, visit https://www.samaritans.org/highlands-training