Representatives from six key Highland organisations came together in Inverness yesterday for a specialist suicide intervention training course designed to equip frontline staff with the skills to support people in crisis.
The session took place on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) at Highland Council headquarters and was attended by staff from Mikeysline, NHS Highland, The Highland Council, Change Mental Health, Tykes, and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Facilitated by Highland Council’s Health, Safety & Wellbeing Team and NHS Highland’s Health Improvement Team at Public Health Scotland, the training focused on recognising suicide risk, having direct conversations, and building personalised safety action plans with those in distress.
The training forms part of the ‘Safe for Now’ initiative, a collaborative suicide prevention effort across the region.
Chair of the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, Councillor David Fraser, and Highland Council Chief Executive Derek Brown both visited the session to meet attendees and express their support.
“We all know suicide rates in Highland are significantly higher than the Scottish average, with men being particularly affected,” said Cllr Fraser.
“In Highland we have some really excellent support groups providing help 365 days a year.
“The Council and NHS Highland are delighted to provide this specialist intervention training to them.
“I am very pleased to see attendees from key organisations across Highland and would just like to record my thanks for all the work they do.”
Participants learned how to approach the topic of suicide directly and safely, assess immediate risk, and support someone in creating a next-step action plan.
Though designed primarily for those in health and social care, the course is open to anyone working closely with vulnerable individuals.
Two more sessions are scheduled in the coming months, in Wick on Tuesday 16 September and again in Inverness on Wednesday 26 November.
Organisers say the goal is not only to improve the response to suicide risk, but to strengthen the wider community network of support across the Highlands.
The course was developed in response to local need, as suicide rates in the region continue to raise concern among public health leaders.
Enquiries about future training can be directed to nhsh.healthimprovementtraining@nhs.scot or, for an informal discussion, james.mccreath@highland.gov.uk.
