Suicide risk strategy in West Lothian sees probable incidents fall

The number of probable suicides in West Lothian has fallen over the last two years.

While nationally there has been a slight rise, in West Lothian the number fell to 18 during 2022 - down from 30 probable suicides in 2021.

Now medical and mental health professionals are working together on long and short term plans to “improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, learns and does business in West Lothian”.

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Key to improving suicide prevention is to provide hope to those most at risk as well as practical help to tackle the social and economic inequalities which fuel the risk of suicide by an individual.

A report to the council’s Community Safety Board outlined: “Despite a small increase in probable suicides across Scotland, West Lothian saw a decrease to 18, against 30 in 2021 and 23 in 2020.

“To compare data, the Records Office suggests the 5-year mean mortality rate, standardised by age, to be the most reliable measure. By this measure, West Lothian’s age-standardised mean is slightly below Scotland’s as a whole.”

The focus lies in tackling inequalities and helping those who may be at risk through addiction or through social and economic inequalities. The programme was officially launched late last year and reported to the first meeting this year of the Community Safety Board.

It is built on a national prevention strategy set out by the Scottish Government which states: “Our aim is for any child, young person or adult who has thoughts of taking their own life, or are affected by suicide, to get the help they need and feel a sense of hope.”

In the short term an improvement plan looks to provide better training to help both professionals in medicine and mental health as well as guidance for Third sector volunteers offering mental health support in communities.

Part of the short term plan will also work with and support those who have been affected or bereaved by suicide.

The work involves council staff, NHS, national agencies and Third Sector groups.

In a report to the board Diane Stewart from the West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership said the plan was to deliver a longer three-year plan for suicide prevention.

She added: "To successfully deliver on this we need to consult and engage with partners across the Community Planning Partnership and with our communities.

“Over the next year we will undertake consultation and engagement to achieve this taking a whole system approach to our engagement work in tackling suicide considering the key risk factors that contribute to inequalities in West Lothian such as poverty, substance use, homelessness, and trauma.

“We will ensure our engagement and consultation considers those with lived and living experience, that colleagues across different sectors and colleagues inform this engagement.

Chairing the board council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “This is a very very challenging difficult area of work for officers.”

Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan said: “It’s a critical and sensitive area of work. It’s clear there's a lot of work going on with community partners and also in the Third sector who support those who have experience of this with their own families and friendship groups.”

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