Players encouraged to talk about suicide

Players from Motherwell Football Club attended a suicide awareness programme.
Motherwell FC and North Lanarklshire Council promote next month's talk.Motherwell FC and North Lanarklshire Council promote next month's talk.
Motherwell FC and North Lanarklshire Council promote next month's talk.

Almost one person every week dies by suicide in North Lanarkshire, and earlier in the summer the club and North Lanarkshire Council joined forces raise awareness of this issue

As part of this commitment around 15 of the first team squad attended the hour long Suicide TALK at the Fir Park.

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The training was delivered by social work senior officer Lynne Cruickshank.

She said: “It was great to see how well the Motherwell footballers responded to the session, really focussing and participating throughout.

“Helping someone at risk of suicide is not just the responsibility of professionals. It’s through sessions such as this and in our schools that we will help people in our communities to become more aware of some of the issues around suicide.”

Last year in Scotland 696 people died by suicide, almost two people per day.

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The initiative will continue to be delivered across the area and next month fans of Motherwell and the wider community are being invited to attend the same Suicide TALK session as the one the players attended.

The event takes place on Tuesday, November 22, from 6.30-8pm in the Centenary Suite at Fir Park.

Suicide TALK is a short exploration of the issues surrounding suicide and an awareness raising session usually lasting for 90 minutes.

Ms Cruickshank added: “By dispelling the myth that talking about suicide promotes suicidal behaviour, Suicide TALK provides a solid foundation for suicide prevention.

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“It aims to reduce stigma, around suicide and promote awareness within the community.”

For more information and to get involved call 0800 073 0918 or visit www.elament.org.uk/90-minutes-to-save-a-life-suicide-talk.

If you need help right now call the Samaritans on 116123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.