Peer Supporters talk about vital role in suicide prevention
We brought together people from four mental health organisations to talk with Maree Todd Minister for Mental Wellbeing about the significant role of peer support in suicide prevention.
The meeting followed the publication of the annual National Records of Scotland statistics on probable suicides. The statistics showed that there were 792 probable suicide deaths in 2023, an increase of 30 on the previous year.
The National Records of Scotland statistics on probable suicides makes for distressing reading. My sincere condolences go out to all those who have been affected by the loss of a loved one by suicide.
It is such a privilege to hear from Peer Supporters – who are making ‘time, space, compassion’ real every day. They do powerful work. There’s nothing more hopeful when you’re in despair than finding folk who’ve walked in your shoes & are now in a different place.
Maree Todd, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Scottish Government.
Peer Supporters in suicide prevention
Sharing the positive impact of using their lived experience to design and deliver peer support were:
- Donna Paterson – Harvie Founder and CEO of Neil’s Hugs Foundation
- Sam Magee, Lead Practitioner – Adult Services at Man On Inverclyde
- Rab Douglas, Senior Peer Practitioner at Hope Point Dundee (Penumbra)
- Nic Saunders, Founder and Co-organiser of Living Warriors Project
The visit was a chance to advocate for the different types of peer support. To highlight the innovation of community groups and services in developing peer support approaches and roles that are crucial to suicide prevention in Scotland.
To have a place at the suicide prevention table as survivors of attempted suicide and have our voices heard is huge and integral to the wider suicide prevention and recovery conversations.
Peer support can give people hope as we, as peers, are living examples that things can get better and that we are humans just trying our best to get through the complexity of life. The intrinsic understanding of our shared experiences can alleviate feelings of isolation and give voice to the thoughts and feelings we thought were just ours.
Nic Saunders, Founder and Co-organiser, Living Warriors Project.
Creating Hope with Peer Support
The people lost to suicide and their loved ones are in our thoughts always. We acknowledge the heartbreak, distress and grief experienced.
Central to suicide prevention are the people affected. People experiencing or who have experienced suicidal feelings. Those who have attempted suicide and all the family and friends affected by suicide. Their experiences are key to improving understanding. Their perspectives enable us to design and deliver the supports that can reach people in distress and crisis.
Want to be involved?
Peer support groups and services provide a space where people can talk to someone who understands. Someone who can work with them to find a way through.
Creating Hope with Peer Support brings together groups, organisations and services across Scotland to boost community-based peer support groups.
