By Bill Heaney
The Scottish Government has been asked what action it is taking in light of the most recent annual update on suicide statistics showing that people living in the country’s most deprived areas are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than those living in the least deprived areas.
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd, pictured right, told MSPs at Holyrood this week: “Every life lost to suicide is an absolute tragedy, and my condolences go out to the families and communities who are behind those numbers.“Tackling the causes and effects of poverty is a key Government mission, and it is central to the ambitious programme of work that is being taken forward across government and within communities under our joint Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities suicide prevention strategy.
“We are focused on reducing deaths by suicide while tackling inequalities and supporting deprived and marginalised groups who are at greater risk. Alongside our social campaign, increased peer support and targeted programmes supporting communities are critical. Since 2021 we have awarded nearly 5,000 grants to local projects, totalling £66 million, through our communities mental health and wellbeing fund for adults.”
Senior Labour MSP Alex Rowley, left, said it was necessary to know what impact trhe Government’s plans had been making.
“Will the minister provide an update on the Scottish Government’s creating hope together year 2 delivery plan, which was published in July this year—in particular, the focus on strengthening Scotland’s awareness and responsiveness to suicide and people who are suicidal?”
“With continued focus on groups that are at risk of suicide, many of the actions are designed to reach and support people who are impacted by discrimination, stigma and the wider social determinants of suicide.
“Work is under way on expanding the campaign and learning activities, growing our social movement and engaging new audiences. We are improving responses that people receive in unscheduled care settings, such as accident and emergency departments. We are also developing a new portal to ensure that people who feel suicidal know where to go for help.”
“Men’s sheds have had an assurance of funding from another portfolio in the Government. We have also contributed through a number of different programmes.
“We have invested in the Sam’s cafe project, Andy’s Man Club, the wellbeing on wheels service and the roll-out of our distress brief intervention programme. We are investing in a suite of other measures, as well as in men’s sheds.”
Top of page: A typical Men’s Shed being enjoyed by members of the club who run it.
Deprivation is indeed a huge burden on the deprived. Deprivation aside of the physical eats at the soul.
Incredible therefore isn’t it that this new Labour government are cutting the winter fuel payment to all pensioner households save those with less than a £12,500 pa income.
Puts all this bullshit talk by politicos that Scot Gov isn’t doing this, isn’t doing that.
Cold houses in winter are the ultimate death – in a country blessed with energy – one does wonder what our new MP thinks of his government’s policy.
We would ask him what he thinks but like those Labour councillors who stupidly threw in the towel and quit the administration, he refuses to respond to our requests for comment. Most of the other lot don’t either. Vindictive, head in the sand and lacking competence, confidence and the political nous to understand that without power they can achieve nothing. The people who voted for them have been abandoned by them in the face of savage public service cuts. Hell mend them, I say.