Trigger Warning: Discussions of Suicide
While public health measures, such as lockdown, have been necessary to protect the general population, the effects of COVID-19 on the population's mental health and wellbeing are likely to be profound and long-lasting. Investigating the trajectory of mental health and wellbeing is crucial to giving us a better understanding of the challenges people face. However mental health and wellbeing challenges are not exclusive to the pandemic.
We bring together an expert panel to share how mental health and wellbeing and in particular suicide prevention is everyone's business and how we can work together to ensure that no one has to face these things alone.
The expert panel is led by Professor Rory O'Connor, Professor of Health Psychology from the University's Institute of Health & Wellbeing and President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). Joining Rory was Billy Watson, CEO, Scottish Association for Mental Health and Dr Elizabeth Scowcroft, Head of Research from the Samaritans.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this event and would like to talk to someone, please reach out. Support is available to everyone at any of the following places:
The Samaritans: Free and available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. https://www.samaritans.org/
The Samaritans work with an organisation called Befrienders Worldwide offering support lines in many countries throughout the world. The drop down for numbers by country is at the top right of this page: https://www.befrienders.org/
Breathing Space: Free and confidential phoneline service in Scotland for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to. The phoneline is open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday - 6am Monday) and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday - Thursday). http://breathingspace.scot/