Proclaimers get behind bid to lower suicides

THE PROCLAIMERS are backing a new suicide awareness campaign after their former manager took his own life earlier this year.

The twins, who have put a dedication to Kai Davidson on the sleeve of their new Life With You album, were set to officially launch Suicide Prevention Week today.

The drive comes as NHS Lothian statistics show the number of people taking their own lives in the region has hit a 17-year low.

Last year 89 deaths in the area were down to people taking their own lives, compared with 116 the year before.

But while the decline has been welcomed, charities said more still had to be done.

The Proclaimers were due to launch the campaign along with politicians and charities by unveiling a massive "suicide emblem" made up of people's faces from around Scotland.

Charlie Reid said: "Kai was a good friend of ours, we played in a band with him and he was around when we started out.

"We saw him every so often in hospital when he had a lot of health problems. It is sad to see that happen to someone of such a young age."

When asked if Mr Davidson would have liked the entry on the album sleeve, he added: "I would like to think so."

The dedication reads: "In loving memory of Kai Davidson (1962-2007). Remembering all he did for us."

The father-of-four, who had a big influence on the duo in their early days, took his own life in June. The 44-year-old had suffered serious health problems up until his death, but remained a friend of the band even as they found world fame.

Scottish ministers launched Choose Life, a ten-year strategy designed to reduce the number of suicides in the country, in 2002.

The main aim was to catch people contemplating killing themselves at an earlier stage.

Linda Irvine, strategic programme manager with NHS Lothian, said: "It is encouraging to see that the work being done is having an effect and the latest figures in Lothian show the number of suicides has reached a 17-year low.

"However, we can't afford to be complacent and we need to focus on making further progress.

"The planned events are to help keep the issue at the forefront of people's minds and are open to the general public and health and social care professionals."

Sandra de Munoz, Choose Life co-ordinator for Edinburgh, added: "We hope that these events will encourage people to talk about the issue. We want to dispel the myth that talking about it makes people feel worse.

"We know talking about it is extremely important and is more likely to help than not.

"A range of information will be available and people will be on hand to help offer advice at these events, and we would encourage anyone who is feeling suicidal or has been affected by the issue to come along."

Dr Alison McCallum, the NHS Lothian director of public health, said even one suicide a year was too high a figure.

She said: "Every case of suicide is an avoidable tragedy for that person, their family and for society in general.

"We are working very hard with our partners to ensure that we can support people in coping with often desperately difficult personal circumstances with the aim of minimising the toll taken on our communities by suicide."

Workshops, therapy sessions and activities will take place throughout the Lothians in aid of Suicide Prevention Week.

Free workshops on bereavement, early intervention, art therapy, volunteering, physical activity and wellbeing will take place in Midlothian tomorrow.

People who have been touched by suicide are also invited to a special service at Augustine United Church, on George IV Bridge on Sunday.

Two films will be shown at the Filmhouse on Lothian Road highlighting issues surrounding suicide.

• For more information, visit www.chooselife.net.

Letter from Her Majesty had better be a tax bill

THE Proclaimers say they would rather get a tax bill than accept a knighthood or OBE from the Queen.

Leith-based twins Craig and Charlie Reid have hit out at celebrities who accept honours in a new song In Recognition, on their latest album Life With You.

But they refused to confirm if the track was aimed at stars, such as Paul McCartney, right, or Mick Jagger, who have been recognised for their music and charitable activities.

Charlie was reported as saying: "I can absolutely unequivocally tell you that if Craig ever accepts an honour, I'll shoot him - and if I take one he'll shoot me. I'd much rather it was a tax demand.

"It just seems strange that people on the left who publicly slag off the class system then happily go and accept an honour."

The twins, who achieved worldwide success with singles such as Letter from America and (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles, have been invited to meet the Queen four times. But they have turned her down every time.

Charlie added: "I don't believe in the monarchy. I'm a republican. But I respect the Queen and her family. I have nothing against them personally."