CONTENTS

Alanna highlighted some startling statistics; around 2 people per day die by
suicide in Scotland and suicide remains the leading cause of mortality in those
under the age of 35 years. The National programme has a number of key
elements aimed at reducing suicide; including the provision guidance and
training, as well as improving understand through research and the sharing of
effective practice. One of the objectives of the National Programme is also to
identify and intervene to reduce suicidal behaviour in high risk groups.
Alanna explained that Choose Life had identified a number of high risk groups,
including people misusing substances – especially alcohol – and those with coexisting
mental illness and substance misuse. This risk was increased further
for people in psychiatric care, or who had recently been discharged.
There were a number of actions which Alanna identified could be taken in
response. This included raising awareness about the risks and targeting people
in high risk groups, as well as the people who work with and support them.
There is a need to improve co-ordination of interventions to ensure a better
response. Also, work must begin to identify and understand the trends, which
could be facilitated through the development of a Scottish Suicide Information
Database.
Patrick Shearer
Patrick Shearer, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
(ACPOS) and Chief Constable of Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary, gave a
policing perspective on alcohol and mental health. He began by commenting that
62% of offenders of violent crime in Scotland were under the influence of alcohol,
12% higher than in England. He explained that the police are all too familiar with
the social harms of alcohol - anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse etc - and the
impact that it can have on mental health, including links with self-harm.
ACPOS have set up a specific Mental Health Group to help ensure that the
Scottish Police Service is equipped to respond effectively to psychiatric
emergencies, and provide the best possible service to people with experience of
mental health problems. Patrick explained that the police often have to arrest
people in distress if it is suspected that they may pose a danger to themselves or
to others. However, sometimes the decision to arrest can be taken because of a
lack of other options, such as a shortage of hospital beds. This situation can be
further compounded by alcohol use as hospital staff will often not admit a person
who is under the influence of alcohol, leaving the police with no option but to hold
people in police cells.
Patrick highlighted that custody is not the most suitable place for people who
need care and discussed the need to evolve to meet future challenges. Mental
health services in the community need to be developed to ensure that they are
equipped to meet people’s needs, regardless of whether they are under the
influence of alcohol or not. This will require a more integrated system with
creative budgeting, a multi-agency approach and better collaborative working.
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