July 2010 saw SAMH taking ChooseLife to an even wider audience than ever before by working closely with Motherwell FC. This year Motherwell have secured a place in the Europa Cup, with this they presented Choose Life North Lanarkshire with an unique opportunity to sponsor the football shirt for the home and away legs against Icelandic opponents Breidablik. The new season shirt for Motherwell was launched for the first time to the Scottish press after at a press conference with Craig Brown and John Sutton.
On the run up to the home leg at Fir Park current Motherwell manager, and ex-Scotland manager, Craig Brown was involved in a press conference to Scotland’s sporting press. The interview was held in front of the new Europa cup “backboard” which clearly display’s the “chooselife.net” image. Craig Brown was incredible honest about his approach to this important tie and was happy to laugh and joke and to highlight what areas his team may have to work on in the coming season. Craig Brown has previously been involved with tough European championships and was relishing the challenge he even pointed to Fulham (Europa Cup Finalists 2010) as inspiration for the games ahead.
John Sutton was next up to face the camera’s and journalists to talk about the challenge of the Europa Cup as well as enjoyment of cricket which seemed to baffle the press. John also had to model the new kit for the photographers and camera crew out in the wilds of the pitch. The “chooselife.net” image was chosen as it can be clearly visible with the white on claret and the whole webpage will take people to the strategy page. Feedback from the photographers was great with all keen to have John show the sponsor in all shots. It was great to meet Craig Brown again and he was delighted to pose with myself, Kevin O’Neill from NHS Lanarkshire and Brian Norton from North Lanarkshire Council, with the new shirt.
Match night
The game night was a stressful one although my stars said “your local team will be lucky” I was still nervous that the new sponsor could curse a match. Although the team started well and were creating more chances than their opponents they were opening up on the counter attack. It wasn’t unitl the goal on the 62 min from Ross Forbes which he has acknowledges as a great shot for a cross that I could begin to relax.
The crowd at the ground was over 5000 which shows that taking a message of suicide prevention to a sports event can work well in regards reaching people. We heard fans speaking openly about how they liked the shirt and those who wanted one now! In regards to future sponsorship we are unsure if we will be the season sponsor however we are sure that Motherwell FC will continue to support suicide prevention for many seasons and trophies to come.
Click here for Information:Suicide Prevention Week Poster
John Sutton was next up to face the camera’s and journalists to talk about the challenge of the Europa Cup as well as enjoyment of cricket which seemed to baffle the press. John also had to model the new kit for the photographers and camera crew out in the wilds of the pitch. The “chooselife.net” image was chosen as it can be clearly visible with the white on claret and the whole webpage will take people to the strategy page. Feedback from the photographers was great with all keen to have John show the sponsor in all shots.
it was great to meet Craig Brown again and he was delighted to pose with myself, Kevin O’Neill from NHS Lanarkshire and Brian Norton from North Lanarkshire Council, with the new shirt.
Suicide Prevention is Everyone's Business
Everyday around 2 people die from suicide in Scotland. In 2002, the Scottish Government launched Choose Life, a 10 year strategy and action plan to reduce suicide in Scotland. Choose Life sets a framework to ensure that action is taken nationally and locally to build skills, develop training, encourage people to seek help early, improve knowledge and awareness of what works to prevent suicide and encourage partnership working and improve co-ordination between services.
Choose Life, NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Association, Mental Health and Lanarkshire Association and partners have jointly developed a suicide assessment and treatment pathway. The pathway assists staff within these agencies in the assessment of people at risk of suicide and provide appropriate and timely treatment within appropriate timescales. It is envisaged that this pathway will ensure a more uniform, systematic and accessible response to this significant health issue, combined with training in the assessment and treatment of individuals at risk of suicide through initiatives such as safeTALK, ASIST and STORM. The pathway is being implemented first in the localities of Wishaw and East Kilbride.
please see links below:
Pocket Guide, (175 KB)
Z Card , (283 KB)
Support Guidance (454 KB)
For further information contact Pauline Hanlon on:
Tel: 01698 366011 Email: pauline.hanlon@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Thoughts and feelings of ending your life can be overwhelming and very frightening. It can be very difficult to know what to do and how to cope, but help is available. Although it can be hard, it’s very important to ask someone you trust to help you or to contact a health practitioner or support organisations. Originally written by the Ministry for Health in New Zealand and adapted by Choose Life, North Lanarkshire, this leaflet has been written for people who are thinking about suicide and their family, friends and support networks. The leaflet offers practical advice on how to ask for help, what help is available and how to look after your self and others. please see link below produced by Choose Life, North Lanarkshire:
Thinking About Suicide, (177 KB)
SAMH first produced After a Suicide in 2004, and it has helped many people since then. Funded by Choose Life, Scotland’s national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide, this new edition has been fully revised and updated. It will help you with the practical issues that need to be faced after a suicide, talk about some of the emotions you might be experiencing and suggest some places where you can get help. please see link below produced by SAMH:
After Suicide, (237 KB)
Visit the Choose Life website or contact the Lanarkshire Choose Life Co-ordinators for more information.
North Lanarkshire Choose Life Co-ordinator
Greg Burgess Dalziel Space Scott Street Motherwell ML1 1PN 01698 267 748 greg.burgess@samh.org.uk
South Lanarkshire Choose Life Co-ordinator
Isobel McCarthy South Lanarkshire Council Social Work Resources Blantyre Local Office 45 John Street Blantyre G72 0JG Tel: 01698 527432 isobel.mccarthy@southlanarkshire.gsx.uk