The Low Road

The Low Road follows the journey of a university student after the loss of her best friend to suicide. While the film explores difficult themes including grief, deteriorating mental health, self-harm and misogyny, it also offers a powerful message of hope, recovery and transformation. Recognising the importance of these issues for Shetland communities, partners worked together to bring the film to a local audience and create a safe space for reflection and discussion.

The opportunity arose through national suicide prevention networks and promotion by the College Development Network. Although the film focuses on the experiences of young adults, NHS Shetland and UHI Shetland recognised that its themes of rurality and the far-reaching impact of suicide were particularly relevant to Shetland. The effects of suicide extend beyond an individual’s immediate peers to families, friends and the wider community. The two organisations therefore approached the Shetland Partnership for support in bringing the film to Shetland and making the event accessible to the wider community. 

Support was provided by several Shetland Partnership organisations, including Police Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Mind Your Head and Shetland Arts Development Agency. Partners contributed towards the screening licence and the director’s travel, with the remaining costs supported through funding secured by NHS Shetland. Shetland Arts provided the “peerie cinema” free of charge and supported promotion of the event. Local organisations including Mind Your Head, Samaritans Shetland, RSPB, NHS Shetland and UHI Shetland attended on the night, providing information stalls, contributing to the discussion panel and ensuring support was available if needed.

“The financial support, time and resources provided by local partners made it possible to bring the screening to Shetland and deliver such a successful event.”
— Nicola Balfour, NHS Shetland

Interest in the event exceeded expectations, with tickets selling out within a week. The screening was followed by an engaging Q&A session involving Stephen Mulhearn and local support services. Attendees shared thoughtful questions and personal reflections, creating a meaningful and supportive conversation around topics that can often be difficult to discuss openly.  Stephen commented positively on the openness of the discussion, while local service providers were available to offer information and support.

Feedback highlighted the value of bringing people together to talk about suicide prevention, postvention and mental wellbeing. The intimate setting of the cinema helped create an environment where people felt comfortable participating, while the presence of local organisations allowed attendees to learn more about the support available within Shetland.

“We felt there would be a benefit to the community in bringing The Low Road to Shetland to stimulate discussions about suicide, particularly given the limited opportunities for these conversations within an island community.”
— Kevin Briggs, UHI Shetland

The event also strengthened existing partnerships and created new opportunities for collaborative working. Partners recognised a shared commitment to supporting suicide prevention and promoting wellbeing, leading to closer working relationships and continued discussions about future initiatives.

The impact of the event has extended beyond the screening itself. Partners are now exploring securing a full licence for the film, allowing it to be used in Shetland for future prevention activities, training and community events. The screening was described by Stephen Mulhearn as the most engaging discussion session he had experienced around the film, reflecting the openness and commitment shown by those who attended. Stephen has also shared examples of the film being used elsewhere to support people in crisis, including situations where it has been credited with helping to save lives.

The success of the event highlighted a strong local appetite for further opportunities to discuss mental health and suicide prevention. Attendees indicated that similar screenings incorporating a Q&A and informal refreshments would encourage people to take part in future.  Partners identified the potential to repeat similar events in future, with a greater focus on engaging young people, reflecting the film's themes and the experiences it portrays.

Contribution to the Shetland Partnership

• Participation: Partners worked together to create a community event that encouraged open discussion and engagement around an important issue.
• People: The screening promoted mental wellbeing, raised awareness of support services and helped reduce stigma around suicide and grief.
• Place: The event brought people together in a trusted local venue, strengthening community connections and support networks.
• Money: Partnership working and shared resources enabled a high-quality event to be delivered free of charge for attendees.