Understanding young people is key to good decision making
At the Suicide Prevention Scotland’s recent national conference in Glasgow we heard from a range of speakers.
One person’s contribution, in particular stood out, during a panel discussion entitled, “what informs our approach to suicide prevention? The role of academic and subject expertise, data, lived and living experience, and practice insight.”
Skye Morgan is a member of our Youth Advisory Group, and they are a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, representing the LGBTQ+ community and LGBT Youth Scotland.
During the panel discussion, Skye delivered an impassioned speech about the involvement of young people in delivering change.
Skye, who also featured in one of our films about engaging young people in co-designing policy and practice, said: “I am here because I want to be able to share my experience and answer the questions people may have about suicide in relation to young people.
“I believe the importance of having young people’s experience is crucial in understanding how to help them.
“Young people are the future and if they are unable to live in the present then how will that affect the world?
“If we don’t have that understanding, we won’t be able to make the important decisions that are vital in our society to help everyone.”
Skye, who has their own lived and living experience of poor mental health, reflects on the limited support they received as a young person growing up.
“From personal experience with healthcare professionals, when I spoke to them about my decreasing mental health they recommended therapy,” they said.
“But even my GP said that the waiting lists are quite long and suggested I go to my school for counselling.
“My friend had been put on that waiting list in S1 and they didn’t receive any counselling until S4, three years to get support that they may have needed at that moment.”
And there was some really helpful advice for ‘adults’ about how to talk with younger people, and reflected on their own experiences in our Youth Advisory Group.
“The most significant thing though is that they don’t want to be treated as fragile but also make sure you reassure them that the space is safe and give them time to talk.
“An example of this is in the Youth Advisory Group meetings, at the start we do what we call a temperature check where it gives us a chance to express our feelings in that moment. Doing that small thing makes us feel heard.
“The most important thing you can do is have people with lived experience at the centre of change.
“If you don’t then you won’t know what needs to be changed and if you don’t know that then the probability of getting it wrong will dramatically increase.
“I feel grateful to be able to sit on this panel and talk to you all because I know that is how change is made, by talking to people who can make the necessary impact that will make the lives of people better.”
Our Youth Advisory Group is managed by Children in Scotland, with support from the University of Stirling.
If you would like to learn more about the group — which continues to seek new members — email Chris Ross.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or feeling suicidal, please don’t hesitate to ask for help by contacting your GP, NHS24 on 111, Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.
