Almost four in 10 Scots ‘not confident talking about suicide with relatives’

More than a third of Scots would not feel confident talking about suicide with their family, a survey has found.

The YouGov poll of 1,013 people was commissioned by the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG).

It found 39% of people would struggle to speak about the issue with family, while 54% would not feel confident broaching the subject with colleagues.

But most people (51%) would be confident talking to their friends about suicide.

Nearly a third (31%) of people in Scotland would not know how to help if someone they knew was having suicidal thoughts and more than a third (36%) have never spoken about suicide with anyone.

The survey comes as the NSPLG launches a new campaign to encourage people to talk about the issue.

United to Prevent Suicide was launched on World Suicide Prevention Day.

NSPLG chairwoman Rose Fitzpatrick said: “Giving each one of us the confidence to ask or tell a member of our family, a friend or colleague about suicide really will make a difference.”

Mental health minister Clare Haughey said: “Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.

“It’s important that we all feel able to listen and talk about suicide more openly and that is why I am encouraging everyone to join the movement for change – United to Prevent Suicide.

“By being open and honest we will break down barriers and help to save lives.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, an NSPLG member and health and social care spokesman for local authority body Cosla, said the new campaign will play a crucial part in council activities to to reduce suicide rates.

University student Liam Hayman, who has tried to take his own life on two occasions, is supporting the campaign.

He said: “I was fortunate enough to survive my suicide attempt and with support I began a slow recovery process but for too many people in Scotland, the ending is loss of life.

“Scotland needs a new suicide prevention initiative and that is what we are, as a huge collaborative effort, building.”

The YouGov survey was carried out between September 3-7.