Local MSP Brian Whittle has called for more action to support people at risk of suicide and the families of those affected by it. The South Scotland MSP made the call during a recent Holyrood debate to recognise World Suicide Prevention Day.
Brian, who is the Scottish Conservatives’ Shadow Minister with responsibility for Mental Health, spoke about his own experiences supporting someone with mental health issues and stressed the need to re-examine our approach to dealing with mental illness.
With a growing body of evidence suggesting more people are struggling with their mental health as a result of the pandemic because of isolation, anxiety or other issues like pain caused by increased waiting time for surgeries, Brian urged the Scottish Government to act now and expand the range of support available for people with mental illness.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“What was often already too long a wait for mental health support has only grown longer thanks to Covid and that puts more people at risk of ending up in a place where they’re considering suicide.
It’s easy to forget that a suicide doesn’t just affect the person who takes their own life, it can have a profound impact on the friends and family of that person.
We need to review how we deliver mental health support across Scotland and find new ways to get more help, faster, to those who need it.
At the same time, putting more and more resources into treating an ever growing number of people with mental illness isn’t sustainable. I want us to do more for the long term and make it easier for people across Scotland to look after their mental health. That’s everything from promoting healthy eating and regular physical activity to supporting charities and community groups that help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
