Expert team set up to investigate suicide spate

NHS Tayside has set up a special multi-agency team to investigate a spate of suicides in the area over the last three months.

Seven young men and one woman are believed to have taken their own lives in Dundee since 1 July and the death of a teenager in Arbroath earlier this month is also being treated as a case of suicide.

It was announced yesterday that NHS Tayside, Tayside Police and Dundee City Council have convened a high-level team of experts, called the Gold Group, to look into the recent cluster of suicides in Tayside.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: "The Gold Group, chaired by NHS Tayside chief executive Professor Tony Wells, is meeting weekly to look at all the information surrounding the deaths."

Professor Wells said: "Clusters of suicides have been well documented across the world, often with no immediate apparent reason for them. The multi- agency group we have set up will be investigating all the circumstances of the recent deaths and taking any actions which the group may recommend."

The Samaritans charity has also issued an appeal to anyone feeling distressed to get in touch with Tayside Samaritans in Old Glamis Road, Dundee.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "Samaritans believe it is important to encourage people in emotional distress to talk about how they are feeling as this can allow them to put their thoughts and emotions in order and to reflect on what is happening around them.

"Talking can help someone understand the way they feel, find hope or solutions, and offer huge emotional relief. Our volunteers are there 24/7 to offer confidential, non-judgmental support to anyone experiencing emotional distress and suicidal feelings."