Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and share resources that can help save lives.

For LGBTQ+ people, the risk of poor mental health and suicide is sadly higher. Experiences of discrimination, isolation, and inequality continue to make things more difficult for many in our community.

At Fife Pride, we want to say clearly: you are not alone. Support is out there, and reaching out can make the first step feel easier.

Key Facts

50% of LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–25 in Scotland have, at some point, experienced suicidal thoughts. (LGBT Youth Scotland Health Report, 2023)
77% of LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–25 in Scotland reported anxiety and 54% reported depression. (LGBT Youth Scotland Health Report, 2023)
31% of LGBT adults in Scotland have attempted suicide at some point — highest among trans masculine (~49%) and non-binary people (~50%). (Scottish Government Equality Impact Assessment, 2023)
55.9% of non-binary people reported a long-term mental health condition in the 2022 Scottish Census — four times more than the general population. (Scottish Census Analysis, 2023/25)
19% of LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13–24) in the UK attempted suicide in 2023, while 58% seriously considered it. (The Trevor Project UK National Survey, 2024)
LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–15 had a 23% suicide attempt rate, compared to 13% among those aged 19–24. (Trevor Project UK National Survey, 2024)
Almost half of trans people (46%) said they had thought about taking their own life. (Stonewall – LGBT in Britain Health Report, 2018)
46% of transgender and non-binary young people seriously considered attempting suicide; 14% attempted suicide.(Trevor Project UK National Survey, 2024)
30% of gender-fluid and transgender youth had higher attempted suicide rates than any other gender identity group (23% trans women, 17% non-binary/genderqueer, 8% cisgender women, 6% cisgender men). (Trevor Project UK National Survey, 2024)

Support Organisations

We’ve put this resource together to hopefully make it easier for people who are struggling. These are just some of the services you can access in Fife and across Scotland:

Samaritans

samaritans.org | jo@samaritans.org | 116 123 (free, 24/7)
A free, confidential service available 24/7, offering emotional support to anyone struggling to cope, feeling distressed, or at risk of suicide.

Breathing Space (NHS 24, Scotland)

breathingspace.scot | 0800 83 85 87
Free, confidential phone and web support for people in Scotland who are feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed.

SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)

samh.org.uk | info@samh.org.uk | ☎ 0344 800 0550
Scotland’s national mental health charity, focused on suicide prevention, awareness, and advocacy.

Papyrus – HOPELINE247

papyrus-uk.org | 0800 068 4141 | Text 07860 039967 | pat@papyrus-uk.org
Confidential support for children and young people under 35, and for anyone worried about them.

LGBT+ Helpline Scotland (LGBT Health & Wellbeing)

lgbthealth.org.uk | 0800 464 7000
Confidential emotional support and information for LGBTQ+ people across Scotland.

Andy’s Man Club

andysmanclub.co.uk | info@andysmanclub.co.uk | #ITSOKAYTOTALK
Peer-to-peer support groups for anyone aged 18+ who identifies as a man. Free groups meet weekly on Mondays across Fife and the UK.

Find your nearest group here.

Sam’s Café (Fife, run by SAMH)

samh.org.uk | sams.cafe@samh.org.uk
Free peer support drop-ins across Fife (Kirkcaldy, Leven, Dunfermline) for anyone experiencing mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts.

For more info on Fife services, click here.

The Hive (Kirkcaldy)

thehivefife.org.uk | thehive@thehivekirkcaldy.scot | 01592 394993
A safe, welcoming community space in Fife for LGBTQ+ people of all ages, offering peer support, activities, and access to a licensed therapist for counselling sessions.

Link Life Fife

linklifefife@fife.gov.uk
A community support service for anyone over 18 in Fife dealing with stress, anxiety, or feelings of being overwhelmed.

Express Group Fife

expressgroupfife.org.uk | 01592 654331
A self-help social group for individuals over 18 with mental health problems, providing opportunities for activities, connection, and mutual support.

Fife Boomerang

fifeboomerang@yahoo.co.uk | 01592 775650
A service for individuals aged 18–65 with mental health difficulties, promoting wellbeing through outdoor pursuits and seasonal programmes.

Link Fife Mental Health Befriending Project

linkbefriending.org.uk
Provides befriending for adults and young people who feel isolated, helping them to build relationships and confidence.

Change Mental Health (Fife)

changemh.org | fifeservices@changemh.org | 01333 841304
Delivers emotional and practical support across Fife, with a focus on resilience, recovery, peer support, and integration into the community.

You Are Not Alone

If you are struggling, please reach out. Whether through a national helpline or a local community group, there are people ready to listen and support you.

Together, we can break the silence, challenge stigma, and support each other.