Our spring 2022 update showcases what the Samaritans Scotland team and our volunteers have been up to over the last three months to help ensure fewer people die by suicide in Scotland.
What have we been up to in spring 2022?
Media Guidelines Training
We hosted Samaritans’ media guidelines training sessions for suicide prevention groups with participants from across Scotland, including from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Glasgow City Suicide Prevention Partnership.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Branch Visit
The Scottish Government’s Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart, recently visited our Edinburgh and Lothians branch, where he announced an extension of funding to support our listening services.
Network Rail Training
Through our partnership with Network Rail, nearly 1000 railway staff in Scotland have now been trained to help prevent suicides on our railways.
Partnership Update
Thank you to our partners Cala Homes, and their East of Scotland team who challenged themselves to a charity bike ride across the month of April. For every mile cycled, they donated £1 to Samaritans with a grand total of £2000 being raised.
Real People, Real Stories
Our Real People, Real Stories campaign this year was aimed at reaching men in rural communities. The campaign was supported by NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and The Scottish Government, and included a UK wide media endorsement from international rugby referee, Nigel Owens!
Self-Harm & Suicide Prevention Strategies
We have continued to work with partners and the Scottish Government to shape two upcoming strategies. We continue to share our research and volunteer voice to inform the upcoming Suicide Prevention Strategy and Self-harm Strategy.
Strategic Delivery Plan
We have worked closely with volunteers, people affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, and stakeholders to shape our new Strategic Delivery Plan for 2022-24 in Scotland.
