Minutes: 23 April 2024

1. Public petitions: PE01787

The Committee considered the following continued petition— The use of Makaton sign language in the legal system.

The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

2. Suicide Prevention in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Rob Gowans, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE);

Neil Mathers, Executive Director, Samaritans Scotland;

John Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, The Canmore Trust;

Dan Farthing, Head of Suicide Prevention, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH);

Jason Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Men's Sheds Association;

Rebecca Hoffman, National Policy Lead, LGBT Health and Wellbeing;

Aidan Mitchell, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Change Mental Health;

Dr Richmond Davies, Head of Public Health Analytics and Intelligence, Public Health Scotland.

3. Suicide Prevention in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.