Communities across Scotland unite for World Suicide Prevention Day 2025

Local areas are hosting over 30 events during World Suicide Prevention Week (8-14 September 2025) as communities come together to promote hope, awareness and support.

This year's international theme is again, change the narrative, and so across the country there's a brilliant mix of opportunities to do just that.

From sunrise memorial gatherings in the Borders to football tournaments in North Lanarkshire, Scotland's commitment to suicide prevention is being demonstrated through a diverse range of community-led activities.

Several areas are providing opportunities for people to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

The Borders will host "New Dawn New Hope" gatherings at Walkerburn and Coldingham, where people can come together at sunrise with music and poetry.

Memorial walks are planned in East Ayrshire (Dalmellington) and South Ayrshire, offering spaces for reflection and community support.

Training and awareness-raising activities feature prominently across the country.

Fife is delivering a number of sessions, both virtual and face-to-face, including an online What if event, walk and talk sessions and an introduction to peer support.

Dundee is providing suicide awareness training specifically for volunteers and will have stalls at various events across the week.

And in Glasgow, the city's Health & Social Care Partnership is launching a suicide awareness campaign through sport in partnership with Police Scotland and Papyrus.

There will also be a number of events across Glasgow to celebrate life, in different settings.

Social media campaigns are amplifying prevention messages, with North Lanarkshire launching their "Let's Talk Challenge" campaign and Renfrewshire HSCP running "What if..." social media activities promoting local support.

Film screenings of "The Low Road" are taking place across Highland, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, providing opportunities for discussion about suicide prevention.

The Borders is also hosting a special screening to launch new "Support After A Suicide" short films, co-produced with the After A Suicide Working Group and Alchemy Film and Arts.

Back down in Ayrshire, the region will recognise local champions through their Community Champion awards, and various areas are running information stalls and community gatherings.

Looking ahead to later in in the month (25 September), Orkney is holding its first suicide prevention event.

And in Perth & Kinross they recently held an event (01 September) that focused on men and suicide.

Finally, one of the UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiatives, the Baton of Hope, is touring West Lothian today (05 September).

Please note that this list of events may not be exhaustive and plans are subject to change.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:

• Samaritans 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org

• Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87

• NHS 24 mental health hub on 111

If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.