Mental health support in the Highlands
People are being reminded about the support available for themselves or anyone else struggling with mental health over the festive period.
The Highland Community Planning Partnership (HCPP) is backing suicide and mental health campaigns to support people during the festive season, including the Samaritans’ winter campaign #break-the-silence, encouraging people to open up about their struggles with mental health and suicidal feelings.
Janet Guthrie from Samaritans-Inverness said: “This time of year can be challenging for all sorts of reasons.
"Whether it's family problems, financial worries, or the grief for the loss of a loved one, the festive season can often magnify these pressures which might be especially hard this year, with many households facing the cost of living crisis.”
The Scottish Association for Mental Health’s “Ask Them About Suicide” campaign is spearheaded by a short film highlighting just how easily someone’s true feelings can be hidden, and how asking the right question can change everything.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health’s Ask Them About Suicide campaign shows how easily true feelings can be hidden, and how asking the right question can change everything.
Useful contacts and information on how to seek help are available via the Prevent Suicide Highland app which is free to download here
If you or someone you know requires urgent help with suicidal thoughts, call:
Samaritans – 116 123 or Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87
Other local helplines and charities are:
Mikey’s Line - 07786 207755 (Sundays to Thursdays 6-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 7pm-7am)
Ewen’s Room - 0800 689 3317 (Weekdays 5-10pm; Weekends noon-10pm)
James Support Group - 07563 572 471 (24 hour helpline)
Listening Ear Caithness- Facebook eListeningEarCaithness www.listeningearcaithness.org
