Bereaved father wants suicide prevention training in every school

Bereaved father wants suicide prevention training in every school

John Gibson, a father profoundly affected by the tragic loss of his youngest son, Cameron, to suicide, has become a strong advocate for suicide prevention training in Scottish secondary schools. Cameron, a 24-year-old veterinary surgeon, died in October 2019, an event that marked a turning point in John’s life. In response to this personal tragedy, John established the Canmore Trust in January 2022, a charity dedicated to raising awareness and preventing suicide among young people by working closely with educational institutions across Scotland.

The Canmore Trust’s work includes promoting the “Breaking the Silence” programme, which has undergone a two-year pilot in schools throughout Stirling and Clackmannanshire, targeting pupils from S4 to S6. This training aims to help young people recognize signs of suicidal thoughts in their peers and equips them with the tools needed to respond appropriately. John explains that the name “Canmore” is both an anagram of Cameron and reflects the belief that society “can do more” to prevent youth suicides.

John shares the deep impact Cameron’s death had on him, describing it as the most significant experience of his life. He recalls the last day of Cameron’s life, when he spent time with friends before tragically ending his own

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More