World Suicide Prevention Day
The Civic Offices in Epping will be lit green on Wednesday 10 September for World Suicide Prevention Day.
Creating Hope Through Light
From Monday 8 to Friday 12 September, the ‘Creating Hope Through Light’ campaign will see towns and cities across Essex and Hertfordshire illuminated in green to encourage people to talk more openly about suicide, how to prevent it and to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide.
Organised by Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System and Thurrock and Brentwood Mind, the campaign forms part of the #LetsTalkAboutSuicide initiative. It urges residents, businesses, and community groups to get involved by lighting up buildings, taking part in social media activity, raising awareness of the suicide prevention website and all its resources and completing the free online suicide prevention training at www.letstalkaboutsuicide.co.uk
See, say, signpost
The suicide prevention training focuses on 3 key elements:
- See
- Say
- Signpost
See the problem, say the words, signpost to support and it gives people the knowledge and the confidence to talk to someone who might be at risk of or thinking about suicide.
Going green
To show support for the campaign, Epping Forest District Council’s (EFDC) Civic Offices will join other buildings and landmarks across Essex and Hertfordshire, in lighting up in green including Colchester Castle, Basildon Hospital and Harlow Civic Centre
Open and honest
I am pleased to see EFDC, once again, supporting the ‘Creating Hope Through Light’ campaign.
Talking about our feelings can be difficult. Yet, it’s crucial to recognise that suicide is a preventable tragedy, one that by having a conversation and listening could be avoided. Everyone should feel able to support someone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
I encourage everyone to participate in this campaign and complete the training to help raise awareness and offer support to those in need.
Cllr Louise Mead, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council
Make a difference
Seeking help when we’re struggling can feel overwhelming, but we know that early support saves lives.
By lighting up our towns and encouraging everyone to take the training, we want to build a community that is confident to talk about suicide and support each other through difficult times. A single conversation really can make the difference.
Alfred Bandakpara-Taylor, Deputy Director of Mental Health at NHS Mid and South Essex ICB.
Wider community backing
While not all organisations are lighting up, many are supporting the message, including:
Lakeside Shopping Centre, Visit Essex, Home Start Essex, Daily Bread (Brentwood), local Family Hubs, and Cost Cutters (Brentwood).
We are hugely grateful to every organisation getting involved.
Each year this campaign grows, and more people take the training. We believe everyone should feel equipped to support someone in crisis. Suicide is preventable and together, we can help save lives.
Lynne Morgan, CEO of Thurrock & Brentwood Mind.
Show your support
In 2023, 6069 people died by suicide in the UK, with 168 lives lost in Essex alone – (both of these figures increasing from 2022). Suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50 and is on the rise among younger people and marginalised groups.
With the continued impact of the cost-of-living crisis, and global uncertainty, mental health challenges are at an all-time high — but suicide is not inevitable. With the right tools, we can all be part of the solution.
You can show your support by joining the campaign on social media. Upload your videos and messages of support by using #CreatingHopeThroughLight
Follow the campaigns on:
- Facebook @letstalkaboutsuicideessex
- Instagram @talksuicideessex
If you would like to find out more information about the campaign and training visit
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