A bold new suicide prevention campaign has launched across Scotland, urging the nation to start life-saving conversations.
At the heart of the campaign is a single, powerful question – What if a conversation about suicide could save a life?
The campaign has been shaped entirely by those with lived or living experience of suicide, making it one of the most personal public health messages Scotland has ever seen.
It features the voices of four courageous individuals who have either considered suicide, attempted suicide, or lost a loved one.
Their deeply moving letters, written to themselves or someone they love, are shared in a raw and emotional short film.
It marks a significant shift in how we talk about suicide, aiming to normalise the subject and break down the fear and awkwardness that often silences us.
The people at the centre of this campaign are Seonaid Stallan, Ross Cunningham, Clare Collin, and Laura Junor.
They met to share their letters and stories in a powerful exchange of honesty, pain, and hope.
Their message is clear – asking someone if they’re thinking about suicide might be uncomfortable, but it could be the moment that changes everything.
For many, talking about suicide still feels taboo or terrifying.
People worry about saying the wrong thing, making matters worse, or looking foolish.
But staying silent does more harm than good.
Experts agree that open, direct conversations about suicide are among the most effective ways to prevent it.
The campaign coincides with the launch of a new website, suicideprevention.scot, offering information, support resources, and a directory of local services.
The work is being led by Suicide Prevention Scotland as part of the national strategy Creating Hope Together, developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA.
The campaign’s creation involved those with personal, professional, and academic experience, including local suicide prevention experts and organisations such as SeeMe and SAMH.
One of the participants, Clare Collin, wrote her letter to her nephew Gerry, and has also lost her mother and brother-in-law to suicide.
She urges people not to shy away from asking the hard question.
“If you’re worried, just ask,” she says.
“You don’t need to be an expert – just listen, be patient, be kind, and keep trying until you find the right support.”
Haylis Smith, National Delivery Lead for Suicide Prevention Scotland, who lost her uncle to suicide, says the campaign is “deeply moving and full of hope.”
She wants people to remember that reaching out is often the bravest and best thing anyone can do.
Minister Maree Todd describes the campaign as “a clear invitation to us all” to break the silence around suicide.
Cllr Paul Kelly praised the honesty of those sharing their stories and believes this will drive early intervention across communities.
This is Scotland’s biggest ever conversation about suicide.
Now is the time to join in.
If you’re struggling, help is available – speak to someone you trust or call 116 123 for Samaritans, 0800 83 85 87 for Breathing Space, or NHS 24 on 111.
In an emergency, dial 999.
