PEOPLE across Dundee are being urged to think about whether a conversation could save a life as part of a national campaign to reduce the number of people who take their own lives.
Monday (September 8) sees the start of Suicide Prevention Week and agencies across the city have come together as part of efforts to try to reduce the death toll.
According to the most recent figures probable deaths by suicide in 2023 across Scotland showed a total of 792, an increase of 30 on the previous year. Over the same period in Dundee, 30 people died by probable suicide, up one on 2021.
Suicide rates for men are three times as high as women, and rates are over twice as high in the most deprived areas compared to those least deprived.
The campaign coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day which falls on September 10 and activities during the week will focus on the theme: “What if a conversation about suicide could save a life?”.
A new short film highlighting people's lived experience, promotion of supports and capturing some of the activities taking place will be available each day on partners’ social media platforms during the week.
Information stalls are also being held at various locations across the city.
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The annual date aims to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness among organisations, governments and the public, highlighting the message that suicide are preventable.
More information and support contacts are available at www.dundeeprotects.co.uk/suicide and on the new Suicide Prevention Scotland website www.suicideprevention.scot
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
