Suicide prevention in Fife

These short animations provide further advice and tips on how to open conversations with individuals:

• Ask, Tell – Look after your mental health: The animation explores what mental health is and that we all have mental health. Factors that can affect our mental health are explored, including how we can promote good mental health and respond compassionately to people who may be experiencing mental distress.

   

• Ask Tell – Have a Healthy Conversation: This animation gives practical tips about how and when to have compassionate conversations with people who may be feeling suicidal or experiencing mental distress. It also provides information on how to get immediate help and support.
• Ask Tell – Save a Life: This animation explores the issue of suicide, including statistics and facts about suicide in Scotland. It helps to understand the signs that people may be thinking about suicide, and how and when to provide immediate help and support.

If you recognise you or someone you know needs further support, help is available:

• The Keeping Connected resources provide a directory of services available throughout Fife who offer help and support on a range of issues. We have a several resources: adults; bereavement and loss; keeping well; and older adults
• SHOUT text messaging service is a free 24/7 support service for anyone struggling to cope. Just text ‘Fife’ to 85258.
• Sam’s Cafe– peer support for people aged 16+ no longer in school education with mental wellbeing, crisis, emotions, life events and suicidal thoughts. Venues in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Leven.  See website for days and times. No referral or appointment needed.
• Andy’s Man Club meet in many venues across Fife. 
• Women’s Wellbeing Club are peer support groups for women run by volunteers with venues in Fife.
• DBI is for anyone living in Scotland aged 16+ who is in distress. By contacting NHS 24 on 111, individuals will be triaged via the mental health hub and offered support in the immediate 24 hours following the phone call and further support for the following 14 days.
• Breathing Space: is a website and phone service for anyone experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Telephone: 0800 83 85 87.
• Samaritans: operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. Telephone: 116 123 to speak to someone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, crisis or thoughts of suicide:

• NHS Inform Suicide Information provides support for people who are living with suicidal thoughts, their families and friends. 
• Surviving suicidal thoughts website offering support to someone you’re worried is suicidal.
• Samaritans website offers help and advice if you are concerned for someone 
• CALM provides support for anyone who needs it. Telephone 0800 58 58 58  

If you or someone you know needs help with their emotional and mental health:

• Access Therapies Fife provides information to help you to deal with mental health problems and to access a range of local services.
• Moodcafe Fife information and resources to help you understand and improve your mental health.
• Struggling with stress? | NHS inform provides information and practical advice on how to recognise symptoms related to stress and steps you can take to manage stress more effectively. 
• Mind to Mind | NHS inform features real people talking about their own experiences and offers advice to support them with their challenges. Topics include dealing with anxiety and panic, handling stress, sleeping better, lifting mood, and moving through grief. 
• Together, let’s care for your mental health NHS Inform resources to help with mental health, whether your looking for advice, information, local support or ideas for improving your wellbeing.

For young people, specific help and support is available:

• Things to Try from NHS Fife CAMHS provides help and practical advice for parents, carers and people working with children and young people to support them with their mental health and emotional wellbeing 
• Mental Health And Wellbeing Info for Young People in Fife helpful ideas, websites and information to support young peoples emotional wellbeing 
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Info and Supports for Parents and Carers in Fife 
• Papyrus: is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Telephone Hopeline: 0800 068 41 41 

Information for practitioners

For professionals supporting people in crisis and distress, you may be interested to join the Fife Suicide Prevention Email Network to receive monthly newsletters on the latest local and national information relating to suicide prevention. To register, please contact fife.fifesuicidepreventionnetwork@nhs.scot.

We also have a range of training courses available. Please contact the Health Promotion Training Team for further information:  fife.hitraining@nhs.scot .