THE fourth annual Memorial Event for people in the Scottish Borders who have lost a loved one to suicide will take place on International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday November 19 at 2pm at Haining House, Selkirk.

The event is being supported by NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council and will be hosted by the After A Suicide Working Group. Anyone who has lost a family member, friend or colleague to suicide is welcome to attend.

Those who wish to attend the event are encouraged to register their interest here but people are also welcome to turn up on the day.

On the day of the event, people are invited to come together on a walk around Haining Loch to the Clootie Tree, which was dedicated in 2019 to people who had died by suicide.

The tree is a special place where people can remember and celebrate the lives of the loved ones they have lost. Attendees are welcome to tie a ribbon or leave a memorial pebble at the tree in their loved one’s memory.

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A craft session to decorate memorial pebbles prior to the event is being held on Thursday 10 November from 1pm – 2.30pm at Selkirk Rugby Club.

Sohail Bhatti, Director of Public Health at NHS Borders, said: “In a close-knit community like the Borders, there is often a far-reaching impact when someone takes their own life. We hope that this event will provide people who have lost a loved one to suicide with an opportunity to come together and celebrate the lives of those they have lost.

“For anyone who has been affected or bereaved by suicide, it’s important to open up about how you’re feeling with someone you trust. Family and friends can be a great source of support just by listening to how someone is feeling, or you can access support from Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide by calling their national helpline or getting in touch with the local coordinator to find out about the support group.

“There are also other things you can do to look after your own mental health - like getting outside for a walk, taking up a new hobby that you’ll enjoy, learning something new or even just accepting kindness that others offer.”