Remote areas have higher than average rates of suicide

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald urged a united front and said: "Suicide prevention is everybody's business."

Business and union leaders backed his call at the start of International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

The minister also announced an extra �250,000 for initiatives in the Highlands and remote areas, where deaths have been particularly high.

Mr Macdonald said the executive's 10-year national Choose Life strategy had made "good progress" at local and Scotland-wide level in its aim of cutting the number of suicides by 20% by 2013.

Lost lives 'tragedy'

He said: "Last year in Scotland 835 people lost their life to suicide. Every life lost in this way is tragic and touches the lives of families and friends as well as local communities."

The minister said a further �250,000 would be added to the �8.4m committed to the national strategy, with the latest money dedicated to services in the Highlands and outlying areas.

CBI Scotland Director Iain McMillan and STUC General Secretary Bill Spiers gave their support to the Choose Life initiative.