The Moray Public Protection Partnership is supporting Suicide Prevention Week (7โ13 September 2025), with a focus on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about suicide.
This yearโs theme, โChanging the Narrative on Suicide,โ highlights the importance of moving away from silence and stigma towards openness, understanding, and support. Talking about suicide helps to break down barriers, raises awareness, and can save lives.
Local partners have come together to organise a programme of free events across Moray.
Walks of Hope take place in Findhorn on Thursday 11 September and in Fochabers on Saturday 13 September. The Walks of Hope are a chance to remember those lost to suicide and to support people living with suicidal thoughts. Starting at 6am, the walks will include watching the sunrise to reflect and find hope together.
A showcase of local support services will be held on Friday 12 September at the Plainstones on Elgin High Street from 2-5pm. Friendly faces will be available to chat and explain the range of support services in Moray.
Workshops and supported sessions will also take place during the week, both in person and online, for people to learn more about mental health, safety planning and listening skills.
The full programme, with booking details, is available on the Moray Protects website at: https://morayprotects.co.uk/news/suicide-prevention-week/.
Emma Johnston, Public Protection Lead Officer for Moray, said: โTalking about suicide is one of the most powerful ways to prevent it, but many people are worried about saying the wrong thing or making the situation worse.
โThat is why it is so important to normalise the idea of talking about suicide and to give people the confidence to do so. Open conversations help to show those who are struggling that they are not alone and that help is available.
โWe encourage everyone to take time to learn more about suicide prevention. You donโt need to be an expert. The most important thing you can do is listen. By having a conversation about suicide, you could save a life.โ
Support and resources
If youโre feeling suicidal or are worried about someone else, please know that help is available 24 hours a day, every day:
- Samaritans โ call 116 123
- Text โSHOUTโ to 85258
- NHS 24 Mental Health Hub โ call 111
- Papyrus HOPELINE for young people โ call 0800 068 4141
- Emergency Services โ call 999 if someone is in immediate danger
For further resources, visit the Prevent Suicide Northeast Scotland app and website at https://www.preventsuicideapp.com/.
Visit the new national suicide prevention website to join Scotlandโs biggest conversation about suicide: www.suicideprevention.scot.
