
Suicide is one of the main causes of death among people in Scotland today, with two people dying by suicide each day. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy. Most people contemplating suicide may not want to die; they want to stop the pain and difficulties they are suffering at the time.
How you can help
The best way to find out if someone is thinking about suicide is to ask directly. Open talk and genuine concern about someone's thoughts of suicide are a source of relief and are key elements in preventing immediate danger of suicide.
Suicide prevention is often made difficult by the stigma attached - people find it difficult to speak freely about it. This stigma leads to misunderstanding and intolerance. East Ayrshire's Here to Listen suicide prevention strategy aims to change these attitudes by increasing awareness and understanding in our communities.
It is important that if you find yourself in a situation where someone has told you they are thinking about suicide that you know what to do next. You are not expected to know all the answers - the most important thing is to listen and to know where to get further support.
There are many local and national organisations that can help with this, such as Breathing Space and the Samaritans.
- Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (lines open Monday-Thursday 6pm-2am, Friday-Sunday 6pm-6am)
- Samaritans 116 123 (Free) (Lines open 24 hours)
Mental health practitioners
The Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) is a mental health professional who works within GP practices.
They offer assessment and provide guidance for adults who are experiencing mental health difficulties. The aim is to ensure people, who may be struggling with a change or deterioration of their mental health, receive a prompt, specialist mental health assessment which is accessible locally within their own GP practices.
The MHPs are based within the following GP practices in East Ayrshire:
GP practices
Area | Practice | Telephone number |
Auchinleck |
Auchinleck Surgery |
01290 424713 |
Crosshouse |
Crosshouse Medical Practice |
01563 521506 |
Cumnock and Muirkirk |
Tanyard Medical Practice |
01290 421157 |
Dalmellington |
Dalmellington Health Centre |
01292 550238 |
Darvel and Newmilns |
Loudoun Medical Practice |
01560 320205 |
Drongan |
Taiglum Medical Centre |
01292 591345 |
Galston |
Galston Medical Practice |
01563 820424 |
Kilmarnock |
Old Irvine Road Surgery |
01563 522413 |
Kilmarnock |
Portland Medical Practice |
01563 522411 |
Kilmarnock |
Portland Road Surgery |
01563 522118 |
Kilmarnock |
The Wards Medical Practice |
01563 526514 |
Kilmarnock and Kilmaurs |
Marnock Medical Group |
01563 523593 |
Mauchline and Catrine |
Ballochmyle Medical Group |
01290 456001 |
New Cumnock |
Valley Medical Practice |
01290 338242 |
Patna |
Riverside Medical Practice |
01292 532500 |
Stewarton |
Stewarton Health Centre |
01560 486784 |
Suicide first aiders
Or you can telephone our own Suicide First Aiders who can help organise suicide prevention counselling or talk you through the additional supports that are available:
Suicide first aiders
Name | Organisation | Number |
Margaret Boyd |
BAFS/Branching Out |
07368 878564 |
Sharon McLachlan |
Northwest Community Action Plan |
07889 657765 |
Andrew Swanson |
Centrestage |
07393 019962 |
Lorna Dougan |
Centrestage |
07341 866067 |
Jim Thompson |
Beautiful Inside and Out |
07758 949010 |
Hazel Brannigan |
East Ayrshire Council |
07554 777154 |
Cheryl Taylor |
East Ayrshire Council |
07990 084441 / 07738 351947 |
Ian Fleming |
East Ayrshire Council |
07496 623159 |
Camilla Devlin |
East Ayrshire Council |
07977 141515 |
Laura Wells |
East Ayrshire Council |
07907 772653 |
Irene Hall |
East Ayrshire Council |
07810 054239 |
Amanda Byrne |
East Ayrshire Council |
07876 393973 / 07878 861996 |
Frank Johnstone |
East Ayrshire Council |
07584 583096 / 07592 018709 |
Angela Wood |
East Ayrshire Council |
07853 980811 |
Steph McCamon |
East Ayrshire Council |
07724 513119 |
Barry Young |
East Ayrshire Council |
07741 674227 |
Cameron Girvan |
East Ayrshire Council |
07792 071849 |
Support directories
We have also produced useful support directories which are full of contact numbers and advice if you or someone you know needs help:
If you are worried about someone don’t be afraid to ask them, it could save their life.
Training
Although due to the current situation we cannot provide face to face training or awareness sessions, we do have Psychological First Aid and Suicide Awareness Ask Tell Save a Life as online modules. If you are interested please email healthandsafety@east-ayrshire.gov.uk for further information.
United to Prevent Suicide
United to Prevent Suicide is Scotland’s national suicide prevention strategy. Sign up on the United to Prevent Suicide website and join the movement in Scotland to talk about suicide and save lives.
Ask, tell - a healthy conversation
This video animation gives tips on how and when to have compassionate conversations with people who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental distress.
Ask, tell - every life matters
This video animation explores the issue of suicide, provides facts about suicide in Scotland and most importantly it helps build confidence to listen, talk and take action.
ASIST
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid, which aims to enable participants to become more willing, ready and able to recognise signs and intervene effectively to help persons at risk of suicide.
If you would like to become a suicide first-aider, please contact Health and Safety.