Latest news with #APlaceCalledHere
Glasgow Times
01-08-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow suicide bereavement group gives people 'courage to speak'
She says the group has given her "purpose" and has encouraged others to still celebrate the lives of people who died by suicide. (Image: Supplied) Natalie told the Glasgow Times: "It's great people have a place to go but it's also really sad its needed. "What I'm realising as more and more time goes on is there isn't many people that haven't been affected by suicide loss. "Us putting ourselves out there and having open conversation has really given people courage to speak about it." She continued: "We're teaching people you can celebrate their life. "Just because they died by suicide and people are uncomfortable approaching that and they don't want to talk about your loved one, they get totally forgotten about. "Its not because they don't want to talk about them but its because they don't know how to approach it." READ NEXT: Suicide bereavement group set up to help people through 'complex grief' The Glasgow Times previously reported Natalie, who lives in Robroyston, says after her dad died she felt there was a lack of resources available for people dealing with suicide bereavement and she waited in excess of nine months for a therapy appointment through her work. She decided to set up the in-person group as most resources she tried to access had a waiting list or were online. It is now supporting up to 40 people a week at the meetings which are held in Anderson Maguire on Springburn Road. (Image: Robert Perry) Natalie, who works for the North West Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service, said: "We have people that travel from all over Central Scotland – they come regularly because they need the support but we don't want to get to a point where it's just too busy because the support they get isn't going to be as good." She continued: "When we started the group, it was the idea of creating a safe space for people because we didn't have that. "You think these things are going to take a while to take off if they do and now we're at the point where we're like 'where do we go from here'. "We're struggling to meet the demand. "People say its been a lifeline for them and that just drives us to continue to do what we're doing. "It's helped my husband and I as well because we're still grieving and we're still in this journey so its been really helpful for us because we also get support from the group." READ NEXT: I am worried about my Glasgow pub after Scottish Water works forced its closure As well as having the weekly face-to-face meeting, A Place Called Here has also held free well-being events including sound baths reiki, and guided meditation with each event based on dealing with prominent emotions that come with suicide loss such as guilt. Natalie, 41, says the events have been "brilliant" at teaching people coping skills. She said: "We just wanted to build some resilience in the community and give people an opportunity to try things they may not have tried without the support of the group or may not financially be able to access. "There's been some real breakthroughs for people and they're on their own wee journey now. "It's been a beautiful journey watching people change." (Image: Robert Perry) Now, Natalie says A Place Called Here has applied for charity status to be able to apply for funding and potentially open up another group to meet demand. In order to raise money, Anton is doing Mick's Highland Way, walking 150 miles over five days having set off on July 28. He and a friend will walk the West Highland Way and more, pushing on for another 40miles past Fort William to end at the Silver Sands of Morar which Michael called "the closest place to heaven". So far, they have raised more than £2650 on their GoFundMe which will be used towards paying for wellbeing events. Explaining the route, Natalie said: "My dad absolutely loved Scotland, he was very much all about the beauty of Scotland. "My whole childhood we spent in the north west of Scotland. "That's where he was probably most at peace and the happiest I've ever seen him, so its really sentimental to do this." Members of A Place Called Here at Rockys Boxing Gym catching some air after a rigorous session in the gym. (Image: Supplied) A Place Called Here meets at Anderson Maguire on Springburn Road from 7.30pm to 9pm every Wednesday. You can find out more at or via email at aplacecalledhere1@ If you need support, you can call Samaritans for free 24-hours a day on 116 123, email them at jo@ or visit to find your nearest branch.
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots mum 'blindsided' by husband's suicide speaks out in a bid to help others
Lisa Marshall was at home with her three children when she was told her husband had taken his own life. The wife of a Scots dentist who took his own life on the way home from work has spoken out about the tragedy in a bid to help others facing the same situation. Lisa Marshall said she was 'blindsided' when she found out husband Alan had committed suicide at a train station on March 7, 2023. She was at home in Lenzie with the couple's three children now aged eight, six and three, when she was given the worst news possible. She said: 'I felt blindsided, I had no idea he was struggling. Alan had so many friends, he was always joking and making people laugh. He was my best friend, he just left for work and never came home. 'He was adored. He had absolutely everything to live for.' The pair met in 2011 and married in 2016. Alan, 37, was a popular friend who 'always made people laugh'. Lisa said loyal Rangers fan Alan is 'missed by everyone who knew him' and would have been celebrating his 40th birthday this June, with a savings pot started two years ago with friends to celebrate. A coach for Lenzie Football Club, both of his boys played in the team and shared their dad's love of the game. However, they both struggled to face playing the sport after the sudden loss of their dad and have only recently rejoined, finding love for the hobby again. Lisa, also a dentist, has not been able to return to work following Alan's death and only now has been able to open up. Speaking to Glasgow Live, she shared that after losing Alan, saying the word 'suicide' or hearing his name would be triggering. But now, with the help of local support groups and the Canmore Trust, she is navigating motherhood and grief in an encouraging way. In April this year, she raised an incredible £10,310 by taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk. Every penny will be donated to the Canmore Trust, a Scots charity creating safe spaces for lives impacted by suicide. She has also praised support groups such as A Place Called Here and Men With Issues. Lisa now attends A Place Called Here - a suicide bereavement group in Glasgow - mostly every week, meeting other people also navigating their way through grief. She admitted: 'It's probably the highlight of my week. Along with the support group and Canmore Trust I have been able to really open up about Alan's death. Speaking to others who have experienced the same devastating loss has been a huge comfort to me'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. And when the time is right, Lisa hopes to become an ambassador for the Canmore Trust and directly help others affected by suicide. On her JustGivingPage, Lisa wrote: 'Alan had three children who adored him, lots of friends, a loving family, a successful career, and a huge passion for Glasgow Rangers. He had absolutely everything to live for and is missed by so many. 'I never thought this would happen to my family but it shows that suicide can affect anyone. I never thought my husband would become another statistic. It's horrible to see your loved one as part of the total figures for suicide in Scotland because they were so much more than their death. 'The stigma surrounding suicide still exists. Suicide grief is complex, and unless you have experience of it directly, you just can't imagine it. You feel every emotion possible, sometimes in the one day. For the last two years I have felt like I have mainly been in autopilot mode. There is no time to stop whilst raising three children and life is moving so quickly.' There is still time to donate to Lisa's fundraiser, if you wish to do so click here. More on the Canmore Trust can be found here, and for A Place Called Here, follow this link.
