HELPP received funding for two years from Chooselife - primarily to compile and produce resources and raise awareness of suicide and related issues. In 2006 we produced the Midlothian Chooselife Resource Guide and this has now been updated and re-issued in 2008.

If you would like a copy of the newly updated guide please contact Linda at the HELPP office.

The East and Midlothian Chooselife steering groups have produced jointly a leaflet giving support information at a national level for rural families, 10,000 copies of which have been distributed through NFU Scotland magazine. This leaflet is also available in PDF format on this page.

For information on Midlothian Chooselife projects contact Development Officer, Simon Miller, on 0131 663 1616

Time to talk, Time to Listen

Rural leaflet available to download here.
Mid and East Lothian separate insert - download here.

Useful websites:

Suicide Prevention Week 2008
8th to 14th September 2008

Andrew Gardiner ( Midlothian Chooselife Co-Ordinator), Councillor Jackie Aitchison, Joan Johnson and Simon Miller (Orchard Centre) and Dougie Paterson (Chooselife National Team Implementation Manage) being photographed for the press in front of the AD -VAN.

 

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)  
ASIST provides practical training for anyone interested in seeking to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. ASIST is the most widely used suicide intervention training programme in the world with over 400,000 people completing the training world-wide. Suicide is a serious public health issue. More than 2 people a day die from suicide in Scotland . Many more have thoughts of suicide and are injured by non-fatal suicidal behaviours. ASIST is being delivered across Scotland as part of ‘Choose Life’, the Scottish Executive’s national strategy to prevent suicide. Also referred to as ‘Suicide First Aid’ ASIST will help participants: recognise invitations for help, reach out and offer support, review the risk of suicide, apply a suicide intervention model, link people with community resources

ASIST courses are being held in Midlothian on:

3rd /4th September 2008 at Vogrie House, Gorebridge

11th/12th November 2008 at Craigiebield House Hotel, Penicuik

ASIST is open to all public and voluntary sector workers and is currently being offered free of charge by Midlothian Choose Life funds although this may change in the future. The real cost of this training is approximately £180 per person. A charge will be made to anyone who fails to take up a place reserved for them on a training course without prior notice.

If you would like more information please contact Linda Sneddon on 0131 660 5055 or by email (click here) Demand is usually high so we advise early booking.

Please note that ASIST is a highly rewarding but intensive course that addresses many emotive issues. In addition ASIST uses a range of different interactive learning processes including teaching, discussion and skills practice.



 

ASIST tune up!

For people who have attended ASIST in the past and want to refresh their knowledge there is a "tune up" session arranged for 8th October 2008 at Craigiebield House Hotel, Bog Road, Penicuik from 1.15 pm (for a 1.30 start) – 4.30 pm

Please contact Linda Sneddon if you have completed a two day ASIST course and wish to attend this half day tune up course.

 

Question and answer session at our Open day during last year's Suicide Prevention Week.

"Most people contemplating suicide do not want to die, they just want to stop the pain and difficulties they are experiencing."


Contact Information:

Simon Miller, Development Worker, Email: simonmiller@health-in-mind.org.uk

Linda Sneddon, Chooselife Information Email:chooselife@helpp.org.uk