A new suicide prevention app has launched in Orkney with the aim of saving lives and offering hope to those in crisis.
The app, SOS Orkney, has been developed through a local partnership between the Orkney Partnership and the Suicide Prevention Taskforce.
It offers discreet, instant support for people in distress as well as tools for those worried about someone else.
Police Scotland Inspector Davie Hall, who has dealt with the aftermath of suicides across the county, was the driving force behind the initiative.
After 16 years of witnessing the devastating toll suicide takes on families and communities, Insp Hall felt compelled to act.
He raised the idea of a local suicide prevention app after seeing similar tools used elsewhere in Scotland.
Insp Hall says nothing prepares officers for the call of a suspected suicide and the grief that follows is shared by the whole community.
He says delivering the news to families is the hardest part of the job and a deeply traumatic experience for everyone involved.
The app was developed locally, with input from professionals and the public, and can be downloaded at www.suicideorkneysupport.co.uk.
It’s designed to be used before a crisis point, allowing people to take early action if they feel their mental health is deteriorating.
It also serves as a practical tool for loved ones supporting someone at risk.
Users can create a personal safety plan within the app, including warning signs, coping strategies, support contacts, and reminders of positive moments.
The app also includes a choice to access either local services or support from further afield, depending on the user’s preference for privacy or anonymity.
Orkney Health and Care’s Public Protection Lead, Callan Hunter-Curtis, emphasised that the app supports choice and control, making it easier to access help.
He says it’s not just for those in crisis but also for people trying to support someone else through a difficult time.
Hunter-Curtis believes opening up conversations is essential to ending the stigma still surrounding suicide.
He said talking about suicide should not make us uncomfortable and the app can help people have those crucial conversations.
He added that SOS Orkney will not solve everything, but it will become a vital resource for the community.
Chief Inspector Scott Robertson echoed these thoughts, saying each suicide leaves behind loved ones and deep scars within communities.
He hopes the app will empower more people to seek help or step in when someone is struggling.
Stephen Brown, Chief Officer of the Orkney Health and Social Care Partnership, praised the collaborative effort behind the app.
He said that with one in five people experiencing suicidal thoughts at some point, this tool could help show people that suicide is not the only option.
The app will continue to evolve, shaped by professionals, community partners and public feedback.
Its ultimate aim is to bring people together, reduce isolation and offer a clear message — support is always within reach.
