Summary

  • The Finance and Constitution Committee take evidence on the EU Withdrawal Act from Brexit Secretary Mike Russell

  • Environment, climate change, land reform and rural economy ministers face portfolio questions

  • The Scottish government delivers a statement on transvaginal mesh, following calls for an inquiry after the death of a woman was linked to controversial mesh implants

  • MSPs debate the suicide prevention action plan

  • Scottish Green co-convener leads a debate on social enterprise and child poverty

  1. Background: Target to cut Scottish suicide rate by 20% by 2022published at 16:55 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Media caption,

    Science and stigma: the parents who lost sons to suicide

    The Scottish government has set a target of reducing the country's suicide rate by 20% by 2022.

    Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey announced the target alongside a new suicide prevention action plan.

    Suicide prevention charity Samaritans had claimed the Scottish government was not taking the issue seriously enough.

    Ms Haughey insisted Scotland has "made real progress in reducing deaths by suicide", but said there was "far more to do" to tackle the issue.

    The government is setting up a national suicide prevention leadership group, headed by former Police Scotland deputy chief Rose Fitzpatrick, to be backed by a £3m innovation fund.

    If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionlineor you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information 0800 066 066.

  2. Postpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  3. Scottish Labour health spokesperson welcomes Suicide Prevention Action Plan againpublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Scottish Labour health spokesperson Anas SarwarImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scottish Labour health spokesperson Anas Sarwar

    Scottish Labour health spokesperson Anas Sarwar welcomes this "refreshing" and "unifying" debate.

    Mr Sarwar says there were 680 suicides in 2017 and he highlights the impact on family and friends, adding "every single one of them is an absolute tragedy" and not inevitable.

    He commends the government for the tone of the motion and the acceptance that there is more to do.

    The Scottish Labour MSP pays tribute to all those who work with those who are suicidal and those who help the families affected by suicide.

    The importance of early intervention is key, say Mr Sarwar and he welcomes the commitment to school counsellors.

    However this comes with the worst CAMHS waiting times figures on record he points out.

    In conclusion, the Scottish Labour health spokesperson welcomes the Suicide Prevention Action Plan again.

  4. Background: Suicide in Taysidepublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Suicide in TaysideImage source, bbc/S{;
    Image caption,

    Suicide in Tayside

  5. Response to suicide cannot be silentpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says suicide is often hidden but the response to it cannot be silent.

    He states self-harm and suicide causes pressure on all public services.

    Coming to a close, Mr Cole-Hamilton reflects on the "internal battle" that those contemplating suicide are fighting.

  6. Postpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 2
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 3

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 3
  7. SNP MSP highlights the tragic case of Emily Drouet who took her lifepublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    SNP MSP James Dornan explains he and his staff talked about mental health and sadly two of his staff have lost friends to suicide in recent months.

    Mr Dornan highights the tragic case of Emily Drouet who took her life when she was a student.

    She had faced domestic abuse and had sought help but did not get it, says Mr Dornan.

    Mr Dornan tells the chamber he spoke to Emily's mother yesterday and praises her campaigning to help prevent more suicides.

    Emily Drouet was a first year student at Aberdeen UniversityImage source, DROUET FAMILY
    Image caption,

    Emily Drouet was a first year student at Aberdeen University

    Fiona Drouet wants parents to be told of the "hidden" dangers their children could face.

    Fiona Drouet's daughter Emily took her own life in her halls of residence after a campaign of physical and emotional abuse by her boyfriend.

    Ms Drouet told BBC Scotland many young students were extremely vulnerable.

    Mental health support should be put at the heart of campuses across Scotland, she said.

    Read more here.

  8. Background: 'I hold NHS Tayside responsible for Sophie's death'published at 16:27 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Sophie Parkinson took her own life in 2014Image source, Ruth Moss
    Image caption,

    Sophie Parkinson took her own life in 2014

    In May we reported that the mother of a teenage girl who took her own life said she holds NHS Tayside responsible for her daughter's death.

    Ruth Moss's daughter Sophie Parkinson died in 2014, aged 13, after "six years of really struggling and being in a system that let her down badly."

    Mrs Moss said she is "absolutely sure" Sophie would still be alive if she had been given appropriate medical care.

    An independent inquiry into mental health services across NHS Tayside was commissioned earlier that month.

    Read more here.

  9. Postpublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  10. Background: Male suicide: 'His death was the missing piece of the jigsaw'published at 16:17 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Statues were erected in London to represent the 84 men who take their own lives each week in the UKImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Statues were erected in London to represent the 84 men who take their own lives each week in the UK

    Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK - 84 take their own lives every week.

    A new campaign, Project84, external, was launched in March and aims to raise awareness and saw sculptures placed on the top of a London tower block.

    "People say the wounds heal but you still have the scars," says Jonny Sharples, whose elder brother Simon, 36, took his own life in 2014.

    "I remember when it happened. I was at home on my own watching a rerun of Match of the Day and I got a phone call from my sister.

    "I was in tears. I went down to see her in Staines, where she lives, and then we saw my parents in Cornwall. It was Christmas, which made it more difficult."

  11. Background: Suicide rate in Scotlandpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Suicide rate in ScotlandImage source, bbc

    A total of 680 people killed themselves in Scotland in 2017, a rate of 12.5 per 100,000. This is largely unchanged over the past four years, with an overall downward trend over recent years from a rate of 18 per 100,000 in 2002.

    This represents a 20% reduction over 15 years, and ministers are now targeting a similar fall over the next four years.

    The Scottish government has now set a target of reducing the country's suicide rate by 20% by 2022.

  12. Postpublished at 16:09 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  13. Postpublished at 16:06 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. Background: 'I was brought back from the brink of suicide'published at 16:03 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Jabbir RamlugonImage source, Jabbir Ramlugon/BBC Three/ISTOCK
    Image caption,

    Jabbir Ramlugon

    "I hit my lowest point in 2014. I didn't think I would ever recover - but I did"

    Monday 10 September was World Suicide Prevention Day, external. To mark it, we spoke to Jaabir, a 32-year-old man with borderline personality disorder (BPD), about how he recovered from his attempt to take his own life in 2014. It's believed one in 10 people with BPD take their own lives., external

    Read more of Jaabir's story here.

  15. Green MSP says number one killer of men under 50 is suicidepublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Green MSP Alison JohnstoneImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone reiterates the fact that 680 Scots who took their lives last year.

    That is a reduction on the previous year, Ms Johnstone explains, but points out that Samaritans have highlighted the increase in suicides in young men, three years in a row.

    The Green MSP points out the number one killer of men under 50 years old is suicide.

    She argues: "We need to get to the position where we know how to deal with someone with suicidal thoughts."

    The Green MSP highlights the importance of training for teachers and non-teaching in staff and highlights the recent record high CAMHS waiting times.

    She welcomes the additional £3m but asks how it will be spent.

  16. Background: SAMH welcomes Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Planpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    "SAMH , externalwelcomes Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan published by the Scottish Government in August, which shows ambition and commitment to making suicide prevention a national priority.

    "We are pleased to see that the plan includes a new National Leadership Group, which will be backed by an additional £3 million over the next 3 years.

    "We have consistently called for action to ensure funding for suicide prevention is issued in a more transparent and effective manner."

    SAMHImage source, SAMH

    "We commend the Scottish Government for committing to a national target to further reduce suicides by 20% by 2022.

    "The commitment to provide training in mental health for school teachers is also welcomed, but needs to go further to ensure all school staff are trained."

    Read more here., external

  17. Postpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  18. Background: Samaritans welcome Suicide Prevention Action Planpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    On 9 August Samaritans Scotland, external welcomed the new Suicide Prevention Action Plan "shaped by lived experience".

    The charity said: "Samaritans Scotland has today welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government’s new Suicide Prevention Action Plan, following figures released in June that showed 680 people took their own life in Scotland in 2017."

    Samaratins ScotlandImage source, Samaratins Scotland

    "The new plan aims to reduce the suicide rate in Scotland by 20% by 2022 and ensure that support before, during and after a crisis is available for all those affected.

    "Central to the creation of this plan were recommendations for change from people who had supported someone, lost someone or experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts themselves."

    Read more here., external

    Samaritans is a 24-hour helpline offering emotional support for anyone feeling down, distressed or struggling to cope. Call them on 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org

  19. Here's the Lib Dem amendment......published at 15:43 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Lib Dem amendmentImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem amendment

  20. Lib Dem MSP emphasises support required for menpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Mr Cole-Hamilton

    Mr Cole-Hamilton says support measures for men needs to especially be looked at.

    He suggests much has been done to encourage men to open up but when they go to get help, there is a huge gap in support available.

    Talking therapy is vital he argues and says we can improve access to this by training more people likely to come in contact with people considering suicide.

    The Lib Dem MSP welcomes investment but expresses concern about beds not being staffed properly, highlighting the "untold damage" a rejected referral can do.