Stagecoach support Fife mental health initiative ahead of Suicide Prevention Week

Stagecoach East Scotland has announced their support for ‘Sam’s’, a Fife-based mental health drop in service, ahead of the upcoming Suicide Prevention Week from 5th-13th September and World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September.

The company will be running a campaign in support of the local Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) project, which recently opened a second location in Dunfermline, through their social media platforms, on bus advertising and internal communications to staff.

In addition to their Kirkcaldy Linton Lane Centre hub, the professionally registered peer workers at Sam’s are now able to provide advice and support at their new centre at First House, Woodmill Road, Dunfermline. Each peer worker offers support based on their own lived mental health journey, inclusive of recovery.

Ross Reilly, SAMH Peer Development Practitioner for Fife, said: “I’ve experienced suicidal thoughts during my own mental health journey. What I’ve learned is that with support, time and understanding, people can get through these thoughts. I’m sharing a massive thank you to Stagecoach East Scotland for the opportunity of displaying Sam’s support information on buses. This will help us to reach out - I know how important it is, as I made the decision to access support after seeing an advert while on a bus.”

David Frenz, Stagecoach East Scotland Operations Director, said: “Mental health crisis is a topic which has touched all of us at one time or another, either through first-hand experience or that of a colleague, friend or family member. At Stagecoach, the health and wellbeing of our staff and passengers is our top priority and we’re thrilled to support SAMH. We believe that it’s incredibly important to get the word out there about this fantastic free local support service, particularly in a year as difficult as 2020 has been.”

It is estimated that up to 1 person in 20 is thinking about suicide at any one time. A recent SAMH survey indicated that a quarter of those who use their services across Scotland did not have access to or know how to use technology, meaning that face-to-face peer support centres like Sam’s are incredibly important to local communities.

Suicide Prevention Week activities in Fife will be led by Fife Health & Social Care Partnership. The 2020 campaign focuses on a positive message of hope and encouraging people to reach out for support in times of distress and crisis.

Sam’s drop in sessions are currently running at the following times:

• 2pm-10pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Kirkcaldy at Linton Lane Centre (service 11 from Kirkcaldy Bus Station stops nearby)
• 3pm-11pm Thursday to Sunday in Dunfermline, at First House Woodmill Road, KY11 4SS (service 5 from Dunfermline Bus Station stops nearby)

Sam’s information is available at samscafe.org.uk and for bus times to either site, plan your journey at stagecoachbus.com.

Mental health advice and further resources can be found at samh.org.uk, including a guide on how to be mentally healthy at work.

In the UK the Samaritans offer emotional, crisis and suicide prevention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call them for free on 116 123.

In Scotland, Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone service for anyone over the age of 16 years who feels low, depressed or anxious. Phone 0800 83 85 87 (open 6pm to 2am, weekdays and 24 hours at the weekend).

PAPYRUS offers HOPELINE UK, which is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Phone 0800 068 4141 (open Weekdays 9am–10pm, weekends and Bank Holidays 2pm–10pm).

If you are concerned for an individual’s immediate safety, do not leave them alone and call 999 immediately.