Suicide statistics in North Ayrshire ‘absolutely terrifying’

Members of Kilwinning Community Council discussed the ‘terrifying’ suicide statistics across North Ayrshire, and with one attendee saying it felt poignant recently seeing flowers left around the park.

This comes a week after we reported how the heartbroken family of Megan Copland found the mental health nurse dead in her home, aged just 20, after a seven-year struggle.

Speaking at Kilwinning Community Council last week, Janette Boyle said: “I was really shocked when I moved here, because I take the dogs there, there are flowers all over the place under trees and it’s really poignant.

“It’s so sad to think of losing that potential.”

Chair Colin Hedley said: “A young man who I worked with only two months ago went up into the woods”, with member Janey Grier adding that “the stats are absolutely terrifying”.

Chair Colin Hedley said: “There’s a huge amount of work going on in the schools, the statistic was 80 per cent of 8-16-year-olds have suffered depression or anxiety, and that’s scary.”

We reported earlier in the year that 22 people in North Ayrshire took their own life in 2018.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are currently working alongside the NHS and South and East Ayrshire councils to try and help prevent suicide through the Choose Life initiative, as well as supporting North Ayrshire’s young people in the delivery of their ‘13 Ways to Support your Friend if they are Struggling’ campaign.

“Every suicide is a tragedy, and we can all play our part when it comes to suicide prevention. If you are worried that a friend or family member is struggling, ask if they are thinking about suicide. It won’t put the thought in their head if it wasn’t already there, and it can be a huge relief for them to be able to acknowledge they need help.

“If you, or someone you know, is in crisis, please call your GP, The Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.

Visit www.chooselife.net