Suicide prevention funding cuts

07 September 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, has voiced her concerns over "huge" cuts to a suicide prevention initiative on the Islands.

It comes as new statistics show the suicide rate in the Western Isles is considerably higher than the national average.

Mrs Grant said: "The latest figures show there were 7 deaths by suicide in the Western Isles last year, two fewer than in 2007, but taking into account the Isles population this is between 1 and a half and 2 times the national average.

"Seven deaths are seven too many and I am particularly concerned that huge funding cuts have been made to Chose Life programme which does such great work in preventing suicide through counselling and support."

The cuts emerged as the result of a freedom of information requested by Ms Grant's colleague Dr Richard Simpson showing that the allocation to the Chose Life initiative in the Western Isles had been cut by around two thirds for the years budgeted by the SNP administration in Holyrood - from £67,000 in the final financial year budgeted under the previous Scottish Executive to only £20,000 last year.

Ms Grant added: "I would not place all the blame at the door of the Comhairle which has been forced by the Scottish Government's local government settlement to make some unenviable decisions about where resources go.

"The previous Scottish Executive provided dedicated funds for the Chose Life programme locally through the health budget ensuring that its resourcing was protected.

"If any funding should be ring-fenced, it is this type of initiative which should be protected first.

"You cannot put a financial value on life and if this money prevents just one death, in my view it is money well spent."