World Suicide Prevention Day – Friday 10th September 2021
Friendship Benches and New Song Release in Argyll and Bute
Police Scotland in partnership with the Argyll and Bute Suicide Prevention Group have been in discussions about ways in which we can reduce the stigma often associated with suicide. It was agreed that the creation of Friendship Benches were a great way to encourage people to get outdoors and start a conversation with others. The Friendship Benches provide somewhere to simply sit and enjoy the outdoors and people are encouraged to ask people sitting on the bench “are you ok?”. This follows the Samaritans campaign ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ which encourages people to trust their instincts and start a conversation if they feel something isn’t quite right and that someone might need help.
After an incredibly tough year and as Argyll and Bute begins to readjust to life without pandemic restrictions, the Samaritans campaign reminds us that we all already have the skills to start a conversation with someone who needs help, giving them the confidence to act. By trusting our instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, a little small talk and a simple question, such as “Hello, what’s the time?” can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and help set them on the journey to recovery.
A recent YouGov poll showed how the pandemic has affected people’s confidence when it comes to small talk. 1 in 5 people are more likely to want to make small talk with strangers how restrictions are generally lifted. 18% of those who are less likely said it was because they were nervous after not talking to strangers for a long time.
Supt Douglas Wilson, Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division said,
“We want everyone in our communities to feel more comfortable about talking about their feelings. If you are feeling in low mood then you need to be able to speak with someone – that can either be someone trained such as Samaritans, Breathing Space or through text to SHOUT, but can also be a family member, friend, neighbour, work colleague or your GP”.
“We are delighted that this project has been a real community venture with support and participation from a number of different community groups and organisations from throughout Argyll and Bute.”
Dunoon Men’s Shed have provided funding towards the benches and have then built and painted these ready for them to be installed in communities. Dunoon Men’s Shed is a community run workshop which is open to everyone over the age of 18 and are popular, but not restricted to people who have retired. The Men’s Shed is based at Unit 2, 8 Hamilton Street, Dunoon.
Iain MacNaughton of Dunoon Men’s Shed said,
"The Dunoon Men's Shed has managed to obtain funding for the purchase of a number of "friendship" benches and is pleased to work with Police Scotland to help facilitate its suicide prevention initiative in Dunoon and the wider Argyll and Bute area".
Police Scotland in partnership with the Argyll and Bute Suicide Prevention Group have been in discussions about ways in which we can reduce the stigma often associated with suicide. It was agreed that the creation of Friendship Benches were a great way to encourage people to get outdoors and start a conversation with others. The Friendship Benches provide somewhere to simply sit and enjoy the outdoors and people are encouraged to ask people sitting on the bench “are you ok?”. This follows the Samaritans campaign ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ which encourages people to trust their instincts and start a conversation if they feel something isn’t quite right and that someone might need help.
After an incredibly tough year and as Argyll and Bute begins to readjust to life without pandemic restrictions, the Samaritans campaign reminds us that we all already have the skills to start a conversation with someone who needs help, giving them the confidence to act. By trusting our instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, a little small talk and a simple question, such as “Hello, what’s the time?” can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and help set them on the journey to recovery.
A recent YouGov poll showed how the pandemic has affected people’s confidence when it comes to small talk. 1 in 5 people are more likely to want to make small talk with strangers how restrictions are generally lifted. 18% of those who are less likely said it was because they were nervous after not talking to strangers for a long time.
Supt Douglas Wilson, Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division said,
“We want everyone in our communities to feel more comfortable about talking about their feelings. If you are feeling in low mood then you need to be able to speak with someone – that can either be someone trained such as Samaritans, Breathing Space or through text to SHOUT, but can also be a family member, friend, neighbour, work colleague or your GP”.
“We are delighted that this project has been a real community venture with support and participation from a number of different community groups and organisations from throughout Argyll and Bute.”
Dunoon Men’s Shed have provided funding towards the benches and have then built and painted these ready for them to be installed in communities. Dunoon Men’s Shed is a community run workshop which is open to everyone over the age of 18 and are popular, but not restricted to people who have retired. The Men’s Shed is based at Unit 2, 8 Hamilton Street, Dunoon.
Iain MacNaughton of Dunoon Men’s Shed said,
"The Dunoon Men's Shed has managed to obtain funding for the purchase of a number of "friendship" benches and is pleased to work with Police Scotland to help facilitate its suicide prevention initiative in Dunoon and the wider Argyll and Bute area".
The benches will have plaques affixed to them in the event anyone in the community feels they would like support from suicide prevention services from Samaritans, Breathing Space or SHOUT which is a 24/7 service that can be accessed by text message in the event you would rather text than talk. You can access SHOUT by texting the word ‘Shout’ to 85258 where you will be connected to a Shout volunteer.
These plaques have been created and kindly donated by Bute Sign and Graphics who were delighted to be able to offer a local service to help local people.
A number of Community Councils have expressed an interest in supporting benches being placed within their community.
These include:
We would encourage you to look out for a friendship bench being sited in your community and would ask you to start a conversation with anyone sitting there. This can simply be asking the time or asking “are you ok?”, the more we look out for each other, the more we can avoid suicides in Argyll and Bute.
These include:
- Sandbank Community Council
- Ardentinny Community Council
- Strachur Community Council
- East Kintyre Community Council
- Lochgilphead Community Council
- Arrochar, Tarbert and Ardlui Community Council
- Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council and
- Campbeltown Community Council
We would encourage you to look out for a friendship bench being sited in your community and would ask you to start a conversation with anyone sitting there. This can simply be asking the time or asking “are you ok?”, the more we look out for each other, the more we can avoid suicides in Argyll and Bute.
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This project is happening alongside the release of the single “Talk me Down” which is due to be released on World Suicide Prevention Day – Friday 10th September 2021. This is being released by Campbeltown based singer songwriter Jamie (image to the right), known as Jacob and the Starry Eyed Shadows and is about mental health and suicide and the importance of human connection to protect ourselves and each other from negative outcomes. The song is being fully supported by the Argyll and Bute Suicide Prevention Group and its partners. All proceeds from the song will be donated towards suicide prevention work in Argyll and Bute, so please check it out and download it. It will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. |
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Arguably more important now than ever, due to the social distancing measures we've all endured during recent lockdowns. The message is to reach out to one another and be there for one another to encourage people to talk and share how they are feeling before things get to a crisis point. People find it difficult to open up to each other, so we need to normalise these conversations so people find it easier to open up. Please show your support and download the song from Youtube.
This work compliments the recent announcement of the Scottish Government funded Suicide Bereavement Support Service which is now live in Argyll and Bute and is available for anyone who has been affected by suicide of a loved one. This service is also available for children and young people. You can contact this service if you have been bereaved by suicide since August last year and referrals can be made directly or through your local police station.
Specially trained staff will provide compassionate and person-centred support based on the individual or family’s needs. This may be with practical things such as support to make funeral arrangements, or talking to other agencies such as funeral directors, faith-based leaders, or Police Scotland. Staff will also be there to simply listen and be a source of support as families come to terms with their loss.
You can email the service directly at suicidebereavementsupport@nhs.scot or call them on 0800 471 4768 (service not staffed 7 days a week so please leave a message). Staff from Support in Mind Scotland aim to respond to all referrals within 24 hours.
For more information on the friendship bench project or any work within this article, please contact PC Laura Evans at laura.evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk
If you or anyone you know needs help and support with your mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can contact Breathing Space (Monday to Thursday 6pm-2am and Weekends Friday 6pm to Monday 6am) on 0800 83 85 87, Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123 or text ‘Shout’ to 85258. You can also contact NHS 24 who can offer mental health support via 111 or in an emergency contact 999.
Specially trained staff will provide compassionate and person-centred support based on the individual or family’s needs. This may be with practical things such as support to make funeral arrangements, or talking to other agencies such as funeral directors, faith-based leaders, or Police Scotland. Staff will also be there to simply listen and be a source of support as families come to terms with their loss.
You can email the service directly at suicidebereavementsupport@nhs.scot or call them on 0800 471 4768 (service not staffed 7 days a week so please leave a message). Staff from Support in Mind Scotland aim to respond to all referrals within 24 hours.
For more information on the friendship bench project or any work within this article, please contact PC Laura Evans at laura.evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk
If you or anyone you know needs help and support with your mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can contact Breathing Space (Monday to Thursday 6pm-2am and Weekends Friday 6pm to Monday 6am) on 0800 83 85 87, Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123 or text ‘Shout’ to 85258. You can also contact NHS 24 who can offer mental health support via 111 or in an emergency contact 999.
