Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 October 2022
26 Oct 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Suicide Prevention
First, I put on the record my thanks to Ms Webber for engaging with me and with the Government on the issue and helping us to create the strategy and action plan.
I agree that we need to do more to ensure that people do not reach crisis point. I disagree with Ms Webber on some of her points about the workforce, because we have the largest mental health workforce in these islands. However, we still need to do better—I do not disagree with that point.
We would all agree that some of the interventions that we need to make are not at the clinical or acute stage—they are in communities. That is why the Scottish Government is investing in our children’s and adults’ communities mental health and wellbeing funds, which are making a difference in communities across the country.
We also need not to rely only on clinical interventions. We must all do better in helping people when they are at crisis point. I know that there is an ambition, from all the parties that I have spoken to, that we get that right. I will continue to listen to the views of members from across the chamber so that we get those interventions right and, most important, I will continue to listen to the voices of people with lived and living experience, and I know that members across the chamber will do that, too.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Kevin Stewart on the suicide prevention strategy and action plan. The minister will take questions at the end of ...
The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care (Kevin Stewart)
SNP
It is important that I start with a simple truth. Every suicide is a tragedy that has profound and lasting effects on people’s lives. It is imperative that G...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The minister will now take questions on the issues raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move to th...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I thank the minister for advance sight of the statement. I am sure that everyone in the chamber will be deeply concerned that Scotland has the highest suicid...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
First, I put on the record my thanks to Ms Webber for engaging with me and with the Government on the issue and helping us to create the strategy and action ...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
In my area of East Ayrshire, which has been highlighted as one of the places most affected by the issue, the key to successful intervention is to work with p...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
The £2.8 million for suicide prevention is not the only money that we are spending on training and ensuring that we get this right. For example, the trauma t...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I wrote to the minister on the day that the strategy was published to raise concerns about the collection of geographic information system mapping data for s...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I know the interest that Emma Roddick has in the topic, and I will respond in more depth in writing on some of those issues. We will continue to approach our...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
Early prevention is key to a robust strategy of suicide prevention. As a practising general practitioner, I refer people to mental health services all the ti...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
As I said in my response to Sue Webber, we have more staff in mental health services in Scotland than in other parts of the UK and we have invested heavily i...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The minister is well aware of the on-going and long-term crisis in mental health services in NHS Tayside, which has led to two reports by Dr David Strang—the...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I am well aware of the situation in Tayside. I have spent more time visiting Tayside than any other health board area, so that I can see for myself some of t...
Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
SNP
First, I would like to express my sincerest condolences to any family that has lost a loved one to suicide. Some great work is being undertaken in my const...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I am always happy to visit organisations that are doing well for their areas and I am more than happy to visit Bonnyrigg Rose with Mr Beattie. A key elemen...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am keen that we manage to include all members who have requested to ask a question, so I would appreciate short and concise responses and questions.
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I very much welcome the strategy, as does my party. I draw members’ attention to the last line of the vision that is outlined in the strategy, which referenc...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I think that I outlined in my statement that there will be much more focus on certain areas, including much more focus on young people. We must get better at...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
The Scottish mental illness stigma study commissioned by See Me Scotland found that stigma around mental illness remains pervasive in daily life. Stigma has ...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
The Scottish Government is providing £1 million of annual funding until 2026 for See Me Scotland’s national campaign to stop mental health stigma and discrim...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
How suicide is reported can make a huge difference to those left behind—not only grieving family members but others who might be impacted—and, on occasion, i...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I absolutely agree with Mr Gibson. We need sensitive reporting of suicide by the media in the printed press and across social media. Sensitive reporting is v...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
Will the minister outline what will be put in place as a result of the strategy for those people who have made multiple attempts to take their lives, many of...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
That is a really important question. In those circumstances, what we need to do for the most vulnerable people is ensure that we listen and then tailor servi...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Although the strategy makes a passing reference to rural issues, will Mr Stewart commit to a specific suicide prevention plan for farmers and gamekeepers? Wi...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
As I explained earlier, we will look at different sectors. We recognise the fact that suicide is more prevalent in certain work groups, and a fair amount of ...
Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
I recently met pupils from a school in Stirling who raised concerns about mental health provision for young people. Can the minister advise how the suicide p...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
The new strategy will go further in supporting children and young people affected by suicide. We know that that group needs different approaches. As I said i...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you. That concludes the ministerial statement.