World Suicide Prevention Day
Graeme recently visited Angus Voice in Forfar to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and to highlight the importance of this organisation and its contribution to supporting people throughout Angus – meeting with the Board of Trustees as well as members and staff.
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action.
As a collective Angus Voice aims to support and represent the people of Angus in reducing inequality, isolation, and the stigma around mental health problems.
People that have a direct experience of mental health problems have a direct knowledge and incite that can help contribute to improving mental health services. Angus Voice facilitates the involvement of people to have an input in the ways mental health services in Angus are developed and run. There are also positive personal benefits of this participation including empowerment, increased confidence, and engagement.
Angus Voice provides welcoming support and facilities for people with mental ill health and is funded by Angus Heath and Social Care Partnership. Angus Voice works closely with Angus Independent Advocacy to provide a voice to people that use mental health services in Angus.
A recent collaboration was with Green Health Partnership, NHS Tayside, Angus Alive and RSPB resulted in the creation of a Green Health Calendar which will be launched later this month. Members shared their favourite outdoor activities or places that they felt boosted their mental health, such as breathing to the lapping of waves on Arbroath beach or bird-spotting whilst volunteering at Forfar Loch; to promote nature-prescribing techniques to the community.
Angus Voice continues to collaborate with peer organisations and social enterprises, helping the organisation to grow in Angus.
I was delighted to visit Angus Voice and learn more about the very important part they play in the community. They are not only supporting people with their facilities but through active participation, advancing citizenship and reducing the inequality associated with mental health problems.
GRAEME
Good mental health is important to everyone living in Angus and we need to continue to address the stigma, social isolation and inequality attached to mental health.
