“I’m hopeful that the tide is changing”
- Written by: — Fund Manager
- Published: 12th September 2018
Emma shares her reflections on the progress that is being made in relation to Suicide Prevention in Scotland.
10 September is World Suicide Prevention day. A day each year that now holds a different significance to me since I tried to take my own life in 2016.
I am now at a good place in my recovery and in the past year have been working to find avenues where I can make a difference to the landscape in Scotland for those living with mental health issues. I wrote a blog last year, prior to the Scottish Government beginning consultation on the now published Suicide Prevention Action Plan (this link will take you away from our website) about the importance of fully involving people in the design and delivery of the strategy.
I’m pleased to see that the Action Plan is forward thinking and clearly shows that they have heard, but more importantly listened to, the voice of lived experience and that this is embedded throughout the strategy. I think importantly though; the Scottish Government must not now rest on their laurels and must strive to push the boundaries and overcome the challenges that face them to create a non-judgemental and supportive environment in Scotland for those affected by suicide and suicidal thoughts.
I’m pleased to see the creation of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group, but I would have liked to see more focus on the representation of the voice of lived experience in this group. If the Scottish Government want to deliver on the plan they must involve several people with a variety of lived experience, to ensure that the group is representative of all those who it affects, and not fall into the age-old way of having one person with lived experience as a lone voice in a group of professionals and policy makers.
I cannot say at this time that if I were to have another mental health crisis, that I would receive any better treatment than I did in 2016. My family, friends and I were left muddling through an incredibly difficult situation without the right support to fully address the issues at hand and without the right support to process the trauma of my attempt to take my life.
I am hopeful that the tide is changing, I’ve heard stories recently of people asking for support in a time of crisis and receiving the right support, right away, not being sent away or left on waiting lists for months on end. I believe that this is as a direct result of the implementation of the new mental health strategy (this link will take you away from our website) published last year, and the funding behind it to provide more mental health nurses who have the capacity to provide swift, appropriate support to people in crisis.
This shows me that with the right support and appropriate investment, the Scottish Government can deliver what they say they will and the future of mental health support in Scotland is looking a little brighter for us.
End of page.
You may also like:
Isabella Goldie of Deafblind Scotland reflects on the value of partnership work.
Continue readingFind out more about the inaugural Power of Attorney Day taking place on 22 April 2026.
Continue readingDr Hannah Tweed reflects on 20 years of the Scottish Sensory Hub, the important work they do and why it matters.
Continue readingAs part of our 20 year anniversary, Kerry shares her reflections on how far the ALLIANCE has come, our achievements, and our impact.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on 20 years since Scotland moved to put children at the centre of policy.
Continue readingCancer care in Scotland is at a critical moment. Macmillan is calling for urgent action ahead of the parliamentary elections in May
Continue readingMhairi Campbell reflects on Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) not being recognised as having a severe impact on life.
Continue readingLucy Mulvagh shares how she used the Centre for Public Policy Practice Fellowship to examine prevention and its barriers to implementation
Continue readingLaura from Perth and Kinross HSCP shares how we can celebrate World Social Work Day through the lens of 'What Matters To You?'.
Continue readingReflections on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education) Bill
Continue readingLouise Hall from Pain Association Scotland reflects on the event she delivered as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingAct Now for Autistic Rights calls for a transformative Bill for autistic and neurodiverse communities
Continue readingIn the next decade, the role of digital in health and social care must embed our digital human rights principles to reduce inequalities.
Continue readingRead some reflections from ALLIANCE colleagues, who had the opportunity to sponsor and attend Scotland's Annual Human Rights Conference.
Continue reading“Our Collective Voice” is a hopeful vision for the next five years, and I encourage ALLIANCE members to bring it into their own campaigns.
Continue readingBy standing together, we can help ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to the compassionate, high quality palliative care.
Continue readingALLIANCE Scottish Sensory Hub Manager Dr Hannah Tweed reflects on the launch of the BSL network for public bodies.
Continue readingSimone Janse van Rensburg reflects on the impact of their Women Living Well event which featured as part of Self Management Week 2025.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingWellbeing Scotland’s Chief Clinical Officer Ashleigh Ronald highlights why we must shift stigmatising narratives around child abuse.
Continue readingAs we mark twenty years of the ALLIANCE, Person Centred Voices continues to show the power of listening, kindness and connection.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue reading