Blackburn with Darwen to hold town centre vigils to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Hundreds of people in Blackburn and Darwen will come together on Saturday, 10 September to raise awareness of suicide in the borough.

The mark of respect will come as part of two public vigils outside Blackburn and Darwen Town Halls, hosted by Blackburn with Darwen Council, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

The vigils are open to everyone and are a main part of ongoing programmes, events and activities to raise awareness of suicide prevention in the borough and to help people find ways to support their loved ones, friends, family and colleagues who may be having mental health issues or suicidal thoughts.

The Council is working with the Blackburn with Darwen Suicide Prevention Strategic  Group and key local partner organisations in organising the vigils.

This year’s proceedings will begin at 11am with a multi-faith vigil outside Blackburn Town Hall featuring speeches and the lighting of a candle.

The main part of the vigil will include a 40 seconds silence to signify that one person dies of suicide around the world every 40 seconds.

At 12pm a candle lit procession will begin led by representatives from a number of men only, peer support groups including Men in Sheds, Creative Football and Talk Ourselves Well. These groups  provide a safe space for men to talk and learn new skills in a safe and supportive environment. Members of the public are welcome to join the group on their walk?

These representatives will carry the candle to Darwen where a vigil will take place in Darwen Town Hall Square at 2pm.

Both vigils will also feature special drama performances developed in collaboration with  people with lived experience of suicide, to tell their stories.

The vigils will also pay tribute to those in our communities who have completed a Suicide Prevention Course. These members of the community can be recognised by their Orange Buttons – https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/orange-button/

The Orange Button scheme is a way of showing others in your community who are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about somebody else, that you are comfortable to say or hear the word suicide, can listen without judgement and you can inform people where to find help and support.

Councillor Brian Taylor, who is chair of the Suicide Prevention Strategic Group and an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, has recently completed a Suicide Prevention Course and will be undertaking more in October.

The courses are ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills training) and safeTALK, which stands for Suicide Alertness for Everyone.

These courses help to improving our knowledge and attitudes in relation to mental health and suicide prevention, and help people build skills and confidence to be able to help those around them and access appropriate professional help.

For more information, please see their website www.re-align.org.uk. The courses are fully funded by the public health team and are open to residents within Blackburn with Darwen, aged 16 and over.

Brian said:

I have been a mental health and suicide prevention advocate for some time now, and these courses are incredibly informative and useful in terms of being able to feel more comfortable talking people who may be struggling or at risk.

I have lost two close relatives to suicide so this is very important to me and is a subject very close to my heart. I want to help people and help to promote these courses to help people become more comfortable taking about the subject of suicide.

I think a lot of people are worried about saying the wrong thing to people having mental health difficulties and these are courses are important in giving people the confidence to do this and be able to reach out and help people.”

In the lead up to the day, Blackburn with Darwen Council will also be flooding social media with messages of support and advice, helping reduce the stigma around the subject and the number of suicides. Links to suicide prevention training courses within the borough will also be advertised.

On the day, the digital screen in Blackburn Town Centre will also carry information and graphics for key local mental health and suicide prevention services.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

The effects of suicide can be wide ranging with family, friends and whole communities impacted. Every story is heart-breaking. The work we and our partners are doing is helping to break the stigma around suicide, and helping people to talk more openly about it.

The response to our previous years’ vigils in Blackburn and Darwen have been really positive and this year’s events look to be really wonderful, with some terrific performances and activities in both towns. I would encourage everyone who is able to come down and show we are supportive of suicide prevention in Blackburn with Darwen.”

There are many services and organisations available to support people’s mental health and wellbeing. We’ve gathered a list together here:

Mental Health – Adults – Be Well BWD