Four mental health organisations and Scotland’s Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Wellbeing have met to discuss the vital role played by peer support in suicide prevention.

Following the latest figures revealing that there were 792 probable suicide deaths in 2023, an increase of 30 from the previous year, the Scottish Recovery Network brought together mental health leaders to discuss prevention.

The meeting saw members from support organisations Neil’s Hugs Foundation, Man On Inverclyde, Hope Point Dundee (Penumbra), and Living Warriors Project (Edinburgh) share with the minister the positive impact of using their lived experience to design and deliver peer support.

Louise Christie, director of the Scottish Recovery Network, explained that mental health support for those experiencing suicidal feelings as well as their loved ones is essential to preventing suicides:

“The people lost to suicide and their loved ones are in our thoughts always. We acknowledge the heartbreak, distress and grief experienced.

“Central to suicide prevention are the people affected; people experiencing or who have experienced suicidal feelings, those who have attempted suicide and all their family, friends and all others affected.

“Their experiences and perspectives are key to improving understanding and also enabling us to design and deliver the supports that can reach people in distress and crisis. 

“Peer support groups and services provide a space where people can talk to someone who understands and can work with them to find a way through.”

The meeting provided a chance to advocate for the different types of peer support and raise awareness of the innovation of community-based groups and services in developing peer support approaches and roles ‘crucial’ to suicide prevention in Scotland.

This follows an event hosted by the Scottish Recovery Network earlier this year to celebrate the success of peer support projects.

Part of the mission of Man On Inverclyde is to ensure nobody has to wait when it comes to accessing support, with a team of people with lived experience on hand to provide structured mental health support.

Meanwhile, Neil’s Hugs Foundation runs support groups across West Lothian and Clackmannanshire, offering a safe space for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal ideation.

Donna Paterson-Harvie, founder and CEO of Neil’s Hugs Foundation, said speaking with the minister helped share the impact of community-based services:

“The meeting was really important because I do not believe that people in positions of power and in general are aware of the impact peer support has in all of our communities and the pressure taken off from the statuary services by people with lived experience.

“People who set up charities and groups to fill the gaps in support that they needed that are just not there.

“The impact of peer support on my life has been huge, I have always surrounded myself with people who understand what I am going through because it means I do not have to continually explain as they already understand. 

“Now the charity set up in my son Neil's memory offer lots of peer support as I know it works, not always on its own but as part of healing and surviving. 

“Peer support gives hope and saves lives.”

Hope Point Dundee offers 24/7 free, confidential online, phone and drop-in face to face support for people living in Dundee.

The Living Warriors project provides monthly Edinburgh-based peer support for survivors of attempted suicide through open discussion, self-reflective sessions and meaningful creative activities.

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd said she is “determined” to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide:

“The National Records of Scotland statistics on probable suicides makes for distressing reading and my sincere condolences go out to all those who have been affected by the loss of a loved one by suicide.

“I am determined that together with COSLA and other partners we reduce the number of deaths by suicide and improve the nation’s mental health as a whole.

“It is such a privilege to hear from peer supporters - who are making ‘time, space, compassion’ real every day. They do powerful work.

“There’s nothing more hopeful when you’re in despair than finding folk who’ve walked in your shoes and are now in a different place.”

If you have been affected by suicide or are struggling with your mental health, there is help available.

Samaritans: Phone: 116 123. Samaritans can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about whatever’s getting to you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Childline: Phone: 0800 1111. Childline is there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.

Breathing Space: Phone: 0800 83 85 87. Breathing Space are a free, confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

Mind: Phone: 0300 123 3393. Mind provide advice and support to empower you if you are experiencing a mental health problem. 

Anxiety UK: Phone: 03444 775 774. National charity for those affected by anxiety. Information line available Monday to Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm.

Read more: Smashing stigma to save lives in Scotland;  New action plans signal mental health ‘reset'; ‘Unprecedented' crisis in community health and care; Government ‘not on track' for mental health; Psychiatrists in ‘disbelief' over cut funding; A ‘dispiriting picture': human right and mental health in prisons

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