Scotland’s new suicide prevention strategy, ‘Creating Hope Together’, was described at its launch as a ‘fresh approach’ that will seek to help people at the earliest possible opportunity, as well as including questions about suicide in developing and delivering policies on poverty, debt and addiction.

The Director of the Scottish Recovery Network, Louise Christie examines the significant potential role of peer support and safe space for people in crisis and those affected by suicide.

At the end of September, the Scottish Government and COSLA launched their new 10-year strategy for suicide prevention in Scotland. This ambitious strategy recognises that to reduce suicide deaths and support those affected by suicide, we must all come together to create communities that offer safety, compassion and hope to all.

But this strategy is also a bit different.

Reading through it, I was struck by the clarity of purpose as well as the ambition. What was also apparent was the explicit recognition that government at national and local level needs to work with others to reduce or eliminate suicide and to support people and communities affected by suicide.

Listening to lived experience

The inclusion of lived experience is very welcomed and hopefully will feature more in other government strategies in future.

However, this did not happen just by chance. There has been a real and tangible commitment to engaging with lived experience in the delivery of the previous strategy and the development of this one.

We are not talking about the usual consultation on proposals already formed but actually listening to a wide range of voices to find out what is important to them.

This can be very challenging as what is important to people may not always be what’s at the top of the list for government or services.

One of the recurring themes in discussions was the importance of peer support to people experiencing crisis and those affected by suicide. Peer support wasn’t something featured in previous strategies or in the plans of many in government at national and local level. However, it is a growing and important part of many communities’ response to suicide; one which has developed from within communities and their lived experience of suicidal crisis or bereavement by suicide.

The power of peer support

What do we mean by peer support?

Peer support is where people with similar life experiences support each other particularly at difficult or challenging times.

Peer support comes in many forms – informal, peer support groups and peer workers in services and organisations. Peer support has always been there. Over recent years it has been growing and developing across Scotland and it has the potential to make a significant and positive difference to the mental health and wellbeing of everyone including those experiencing crisis and affected by suicide.

What is so powerful is that it is a mutual relationship where you are supported and support others at the same time, learning from shared life experiences.

When we talk to people with lived experience of mental health problems and those affected by suicide, they are very clear about the type of supports that really help them. They talk about the importance of being listened to, their experiences and feelings being validated and the response being one of compassion. When we ask where they find this, more often than not people tell us in peer support groups, with peer workers and in peer-led services.

It seems that we often underestimate the power of giving people a safe and nurturing space where they can talk to people who understand and where they don’t feel so alone.

When we are at our lowest, things can feel hopeless and we struggle to find a way out. Being with people who have shared experiences builds our connection to others and, with this, our hope for the future and our sense of agency.

This is not a process focused on assessment and advice, but a very personal journey where sharing with others helps us to better understand our experiences and feelings, develop insight and figure out what will work for us. In this way, peer support – whether through a peer support group or a one-to-one relationship with a peer worker – can make all the difference to people.

The future is peer

We know that many people needing help cannot get the help they want and need when they need it.

Instead of just calling for more of the same, we are building on something positive and good in our communities – peer support.

The recognition of the value and role of peer support in Scotland’s suicide prevention strategy demonstrates that peer support is not an optional add on but a central and essential part of our response to suicide.

Through my role at Scottish Recovery Network, I am privileged to work with the amazing people who develop and sustain peer support across the country. This focus on peer support means that more people will get the help they need, when and where they need it to prevent suicide and help them come to terms with their experiences.

Suicide prevention and mental health is everyone’s business. Peer support makes this a reality and provides a space for people and communities to hold the hope and offer the compassionate support that people need.

 

Louise Christie is Director of the Scottish Recovery Network, which seeks to bring people, services and organisations across sectors together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience which supports everyone’s mental health recovery is supported at all stages of their journey.

 

Read more: Watchdog: collective failure to help those in crisis; Suicide prevention to be about ‘creating hope’; Call to prioritise psychological therapies

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