A message from Laura MacKay

September is Suicide Awareness Month, but on the 10th of this month is a day that is selected to focus more discussion and raise awareness on Suicide Prevention and share support and practices on how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

At any one time, around 1 in 25 people are contemplating taking their own life. On average 2 people commit suicide in Scotland every day. Unfortunately not just a number but someone’s family, friend, work colleague or teammate.

Men are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women and although there has been a slight reduction in recent years, the numbers are still very concerning. This is also includes the numbers of cases in children and young adults 

And as we try to come to terms with the aftermath of the pandemic and all the problems and adjustments to peoples lives, we are also now having to deal with a backlog in professional services that deal with mental health problems and with the cost of living crisis affecting so many people, these are adding to people’s stress and anxiety.

This is why it is so important to get immediate help and support, as every life does matter.

At Annan Rugby our mental health and wellbeing officer is myself Laura MacKay.

Mobile: 07808660753  / Email: LauraMac@AnnanRFC.com

This is info is also on our website (www.annanrugby.com/mental-health-and-well-being/), which is available if you need any support or a chat or just to guide you to the support that’s out there.

Also on our website is a list of organisations that help 24/7 on all aspects of awareness and support and includes help tones for young children and young adults also for parents as as anyone experiencing problems.

There are also some local groups that do great work and support young people in the region and also have a free text messaging service available if you need it.

• www.YouthWork.dumgal.gov.uk
• www.theMix.org.uk
• www.GiveUsAShout.org

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or one of these organisations as help is there to support anyone that needs it.

I would also like to add about our Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops at Annan Rugby

We are looking at starting these sessions, W/C the 26th September, and they are for all age groups. Dates and times will be send out accordingly.

Looking at 1-3 sessions per age group going forward. With possible update sessions as the season continues.

We hope everyone will support and attend these as much as they can.

Thanks Laura and take care

And remember you are not alone. If you need support we can help to get you help you need or guide you to what support is there for you,

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Samaritans – Samaritans are there to listen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it’s always free to call from any landline or mobile phone. call 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• NHS 24’s mental health hub – Call 111 
• Breathing Space – The service is open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday — 6am Monday) and 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday — Thursday). Call 0800 83 85 87 – https://breathingspace.scot/ 
• Shout Crisis Text Line – Text “SHOUT” to 85258, text “YM” if you are under 19.
• Visit NHS Inform for information – https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/suicide-information 
• Visit https://clearyourhead.scot/ – for tips on self help for mental wellbeing
• Check out Samaritans self help app – https://selfhelp.samaritans.org/ 
• Read the  Art of Conversation guide to listening and talking about suicide
• Download The Prevent Suicide D&G App contains information on support services and a space to develop a safety plan. It can be downloaded onto most smart phones. Download OS App Here / Android App Here

Signs to look out for that a person may be feeling under distress and suicidal include:

(Source: NHS Inform: Suicide Information)

• Sharing feelings of hopelessness
• Episodes of sudden rage and anger
• Act recklessly and engage in risky activities with an apparent lack of concern about the consequences
• Talking about feeling trapped, such as saying they can’t see any way out of their current situation
• A change in their appetite leading to weight gain or loss 
• Become increasingly withdrawn from friends, family and society 
• Appearing anxious and agitated
• Being unable to sleep or they sleep all the time
• Sudden mood swings – a sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate they have made the decision to attempt suicide
• Talking and acting in ways that suggests their life has no sense of purpose
• Loss of interest in most things, including their appearance.