Bereaved by Suicide Event

In Scotland, around two people die by suicide every day. The number of people affected by each suicide is significant. For each person who dies by suicide an average of four people will suffer intense grief. In Scotland this means that at least 3000 people will be significantly affected in any one year.

With this in mind a Memorial Event for People Bereaved by Suicide will take place on Saturday 7th December from 12:30 – 2:30pm at Haining House in Selkirk.

The event aims to give those affected by suicide the opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of those they have lost and connect with people with similar experiences. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tie a ribbon on the Clootie Tree at the Haining in memory of their loved ones.

Lesley Stewart, one of the event organisers, whose son Andrew took his own life, said: "Attitudes around mental health have improved greatly, and people are starting to open up about their mental health and wellbeing. Unfortunately there is still a huge stigma around suicide; people would rather cross the street than ask you how you are after someone close to you has died by suicide, which can be a really lonely experience at a difficult time in your life. We hope that by organising this event we can reach out to others who have lost someone to suicide and show them that they are not alone."

Allyson McCollam, Associate Director of Public Health for NHS Borders, said: "With such a close community in the Scottish Borders we know that the impact of suicide is significant, not only for family members, friends and colleagues but for whole communities. This inaugural event offers an opportunity for those people affected by suicide, whether personally or through their work, to come together and celebrate the lives of those lost to suicide."