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The Civic Offices in Epping will be lit green on Tuesday 10 September for World Suicide Prevention Day.
Creating hope through light
From the 9 to the 13 September, organisations, people and communities across Essex and Hertfordshire are lighting up buildings and landmarks green, as part of the ‘Creating hope through light’ event for World Suicide Prevention Day.
The ‘Creating hope through light’ week-long event, hopes to raise awareness of suicide prevention and challenge Essex residents to take the FREE suicide prevention training, which can be accessed on www.letstalkaboutsuicide.co.uk.
The initiative is a joint project from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System and Thurrock and Brentwood Mind as part of their #LetsTalkAboutSuicide campaign. It’s aimed at reducing the stigma around talking about suicide and encourages people to take the free online suicide prevention training, as well as highlight the other mental health resources available in Essex.
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, including Southend City Beach, Chelmsford County Hall and Civic Centre in Harlow in lighting up in green.
Open and honest
Cllr Les Burrows Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, said:
I am pleased to see EFDC once again supporting the ‘Creating Hope through Light’ campaign this year.
Opening up about our feelings can be challenging, yet it’s crucial to recognise that suicide is a preventable tragedy. 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.
Save someone’s life
Alfred Bandakpara-Taylor, Deputy Director of Mental Health at NHS Mid and South Essex ICB, said:
Seeking support when we are feeling low and/or anxious can be difficult, but the earlier individuals reach out for support the better. We want people from across mid and south Essex to encourage their friends, family, work colleagues, their communities, and the organisations they work for to become a part of our ‘Creating hope through light’ event this September to help prevent and reduce suicides. Whether it is lighting a building green, talking to other people about preventing suicide or taking the training – you may help save someone’s life.
See, say, signpost
The suicide prevention training focuses on 3 key elements:
- See the problem
- Say the words
- Signpost to support
The free training is to help give people the knowledge and confidence to talk to someone who might be at risk of or thinking about suicide.
Maximise participation in suicide prevention training
Lynne Morgan, CEO at Thurrock & Brentwood Mind said:
We are so grateful for the support from organisations that have embraced the ‘Creating Hope through Light’ campaign and encouraged their staff and communities to undergo the training and promote the website as a resource.
As we embark on another year of this campaign, we aspire to engage even more individuals and organisations in our mission to maximise participation in the suicide prevention training now more than ever we think this kind of training is vital for everyone to help spot someone who may be struggling.
Show your support
In 2022 5,642 people lost their lives to suicide in the UK, with 131 people taking their life in Essex alone. Suicide is in fact the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom in men under 50.
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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