Samaritans Scotland have thanked Motherwell Football Club for helping to shine a light on the suicide prevention charity’s 24/7 helpline.
The Scottish Premiership club released a charity third kit in December with Samaritans’ 116 123 number stitched on it.
The neon and black strip is also embroidered with the message ‘speak up, speak out, be heard’ and the contact numbers for Breathing Space, Childline and Lanarkshire-based organisation Chris’ House.
The latest data from the National Records of Scotland shows that around three-quarters of those who died from suicide in 2021 were male, with the highest level of probable suicides being in men aged between 25 and 54.
As the season draws to a close this weekend, Samaritans Scotland Influencing Manager, Danielle Rowley, visited Fir Park Stadium to thank the club for its ongoing support.
She said: “We know that there were 268 deaths from suicide in North Lanarkshire between 2017 and 2021, and that 203 of these were men. The area has the third highest number of suicides in Scotland, behind Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“It has been great to see the team and fans wear the distinctive neon kit this season, there is no doubt it has helped to promote our helpline and reduce stigma around mental health – not just in Lanarkshire, but across Scotland.
“Motherwell FC’s continued work around suicide prevention and mental wellbeing is to be commended, and we thank everyone at the club for their commitment in helping to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide.”
If you need to talk, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
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