University experts to speak at male suicide spinoff event

A multi-agency event featuring University of Dundee experts will aim to raise awareness of the issues surrounding male suicide in Perth and Kinross.

Let's Talk About...Men and Suicide will bring together support services for men, their families and loved ones who are experiencing difficulties with mental health.

The free event, to take place at Perth and Kinross Council’s North Inch Community Campus on Monday 1 September, follows on from a successful event organised and hosted by the University’s School of Health Sciences in Kirkcaldy earlier this year. That brought together support services and members of the community for an open discussion on the issue, in a bid to prevent avoidable loss of life and encourage more men to discuss their mental health openly.

Paul Smith, a lecturer in Mental Health at the University, helped to organise the Kirkcaldy event and will be speaking in Perth alongside local agencies. He said that the opportunity to provide support for people elsewhere in Scotland was hugely significant.

“We were overwhelmed with the public response to our event in Kirkcaldy,” he said.

“This highlighted to us just how significant the subject of male mental health is and the uncertainty many people feel in how and when to seek support. It shows that it is not just Kirkcaldy, but communities across Scotland that are affected.

“It is encouraging to see agencies in Perth group together and provide support for men, their families and friends in their local area. The opportunity to pass on our knowledge and support to others across the country is something we are happy to do.”

Let’s Talk About…Men and Suicide is a spinoff from the University’s event and is organised by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC). As well as Paul, the evening will include contributors from local mental health charity The Neuk, the local Samaritans branch, and staff from the local authority’s own Health and Social Care Partnership. The event is free of charge and open to anyone affected by male suicide or who wishes to learn more about the subject.

Let’s Talk About…Men and Suicide takes place at the North Inch Community Campus, Gowans Terrace, Perth, from 18:00-20:30 on Monday 1 September.