That the Parliament notes that Suicide Prevention Week will take place from 7 to 13 September 2026, centred on World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2026; recognises that World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organisation to promote the core message that suicide can be prevented; notes that the theme for 2024 to 2026 is Changing the Narrative on Suicide; considers that reducing stigma and encouraging openness, understanding and support are important elements of suicide prevention; notes that, according to National Records of Scotland, there were 704 probable suicide deaths in Scotland in 2024 and that significant inequalities remain, including higher rates among males and in areas experiencing deprivation; further notes that the gap between rates of probable suicide mortality in the most and least deprived areas has decreased since 2001, driven by lower rates in the most deprived areas, and that age-specific rates of probable suicide mortality in 2024 were highest among those aged between 25 and 64; commends the work of United to Prevent Suicide, a social movement supported by Suicide Prevention Scotland and hosted by Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), in empowering communities to take action to prevent suicide and in promoting The Declaration which seeks to build communities based on compassion, connection and hope; believes that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention, and encourages anyone affected by suicidal thoughts or concerned about another person to seek support from available services, including NHS inform and the Samaritans.
Supported by: Heather Anderson, Jackie Baillie, Colin Beattie, Senga Beresford, Dawn Black, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Yi-pei Chou Turvey, Bob Doris, Jackie Dunbar, David Linden, Amanda Lindsay, Julie MacDougall, Liam McArthur, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Colm Merrick, Alyn Smith, Paul Sweeney