Allan Wilson MSP is
backing a motion marking International Suicide Prevention Week, which runs
from the 5th to the 11th of September. The debate on the motion, lodged by
fellow Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, will be the first Members’ Business debate
in the new Scottish Parliament.
The motion welcomes the
introduction to Scotland of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training,
which is helping develop more effective approaches to both identifying and
assisting those most at risk of suicide. It also highlights the
suicide-reduction work being done through Choose Life, the Scottish
Executive’s strategy to prevent suicide.
After adding his support to the motion, Mr Wilson said: "The latest figures
on suicide show that people in Scotland are twice as likely to kill
themselves as in the rest of UK. The figures for young men are particularly
worrying with more young men aged between 16 and 24 committing suicide than
dying in road accidents, and suicide remains the main cause of death for men
aged 15 to 44. I for one don’t want to live in a society which lets so much
potential go to waste.”
“I am happy to add my name to Duncan McNeil’s motion, which highlights the
work done on trying to reduce suicide by Choose Life. This is a motion
worthy of the first Members’ debate in the new Parliament chamber.”
Mr Wilson continued "I hope that by highlighting this problem and bringing
it into the public eye we can assist people who feel suicidal to speak up
and seek help. However, it is clear that Scotland has a particular problem
with suicide and I hope that the Minister will outline what further action
the Executive will take during the debate.”
NOTE:
S2M-1578#
Mr Duncan McNeil:
International Suicide Prevention Week—That the Parliament acknowledges the
importance of international Suicide Prevention Week from 5 to 11 September
2004 for raising awareness of this cause of death; recognises that more
people die as a result of suicide than from traffic accidents; commends the
work being done by Choose life, Scotland’s strategy aimed at reducing
suicides by 20% over the next 10 years; welcomes the introduction to
Scotland of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, helping develop
more effective approaches to both identifying and assisting those most at
risk of suicide, and looks forward to this suicide-reduction work continuing
at a national and local level. |
