Local paper support for World Suicide Prevention Day

Frank Ritchie is well known to SBS Cumbria members and supporters for his volunteering and support, his passion and commitment and, last but not least, for his ukulele music that has featured at SBS events and online for several years. As part of World Suicide Prevention Day in September 2022, Frank told his story, and that of his late son, Alan, to his local paper, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard.

Dumfriesshire mental health campaigner Frank Ritchie is warning of a potential rise in suicides this winter brought on by the cost of living crisis. The 70-year-old from Lockerbie is encouraging anyone in “emotional torment” to “reach out and seek help” from a variety of agencies and he urges people across the region to keep an eye out for others who may be struggling.

His message came on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow.

He said: “Many people in Dumfries and Galloway are looking to face a catastrophic winter of misery as they try to keep warm and feed themselves. Issues of mental health and suicide are bound to escalate. It is important that anyone feeling suicidal reaches out. There are a number of charities that are there for them.”

Frank’s “world collapsed” when his 31-year-old son, Alan, took his own life at Lockerbie Railway Station in 2015. The tragedy has spurred him on to campaign for more support for charities and those with mental health problems – lobbying councillors, MPs and MSPs, and the Scottish Parliament. And he has ensured that suicide awareness information posters are displayed in Annan and Dumfries Tesco stores with information about Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbria and surrounding areas, and at local train stations via ScotRail.

Frank is a keen ukulele “hummer and strummer” and he has used his skills to raise funds for a number of mental health charities.

He urges anyone feeling low and suffering from mental health or suicidal thoughts to ring the Samaritans on freephone 116123 at any time, or Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbria and surrounding areas helpline 07572 975 721 or 07896 703 757, or email: hello@sbs.org.uk. He also recommends the NHS website, Breathing Space, and websites by Headspace and Zero Suicide Alliance.

Frank said: “When Alan died, someone sent me a card that had a quotation from Winston Churchill that sad: “When you are going through Hell, keep going!”

And he is urging the public to be on alert for family members, friends or strangers who may need help.

He said: “If you suspect a member of your family, a friend or even a person who is very upset, approach the person, ask if they are okay. Try to get them to start talking about how they feel and signpost them to go to their doctor, A&E or speak to family members. Making simple small talk with someone who appears to be in distress – even a simple ‘Are you okay?’ – might save a life.”

“I would encourage everyone to watch the free 20-minute video on the Zero Suicide Alliance website which shows what to do and say when you suspect someone is contemplating taking their own life.”