Sharing hope this Suicide Prevention Day

People in Blackburn and Darwen are invited to come together next month to share hope, raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide.

The Suicide Prevention Day event on Wednesday 10 September aims to reduce instances of suicide in the borough, by highlighting the variety of mental health support available – and encouraging people to train as Mental Health First Aiders.

As in previous years, the event will begin in Darwen, with a group walk leaving from Darwen Market Square at 10.30am – and anyone is welcome to join them.  

Walkers will make their way towards Blackburn along the A666 with banners made by local groups, bearing messages of hope and support for anyone affected by suicide.

With a stop-off at Blackburn Rovers around 11.15am, the football club will show its support for raising awareness of mental health matters and suicide prevention. 

Walkers will then head to Blackburn town centre to join the vigil outside Blackburn Town Hall starting at 12.30pm.

At this year’s vigil, we will hear how circumstances throughout our lives can impact our risk of suicide. Speakers at the event will help to highlight how having a family – from pregnancy to a child turning two – can increase risks for both parents.

We will also hear how mixing alcohol with cocaine can leave people vulnerable to suicide.

The event is also an opportunity to commemorate loved ones who have lost their lives to suicide.

The vigil will include a 40 second silence, highlighting the tragic fact that one person dies of suicide globally every 40 seconds.

As in previous years, the vigil is being supported by a host of local and regional organisations that can help people affected by suicide. Stalls with mental health information and advice will be open outside Blackburn Town Hall from 11.30am on Wednesday 10 September.

Councillor Damian Talbot, the Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Health, commented:

Our annual Suicide Prevention Day activity is a very important part of our work around mental health. By supporting people to have conversations around suicidal thoughts, we can help to reduce the stigma that surrounds suicide – and potentially save lives.

Everyone in Blackburn with Darwen is welcome to come along to find ways to support their loved ones, friends, family and colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health.

Knowing the risks can help us look after ourselves and support others facing challenging times.

While tackling a sensitive subject respectfully, the annual Suicide Prevention Day vigil strikes a balance with sharing hope for the future.

Information about Mental Health First Aid training will be available at the marketplace outside Blackburn Town Hall. Funded by Blackburn with Darwen Public Health, this accredited training is available free of charge to people over 19 years of age living and working in Blackburn with Darwen. Find out more through Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning.

Anyone who completes the Mental Health First Aid training can also train in suicide prevention to become an Orange Button holder. 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 talk about suicide, can listen without judgement, and can direct people to help and support.

Councillor Brian Taylor, who is the Chair of the Suicide Prevention Group and an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, added:

As someone who has been affected personally by suicide, it is a subject very close to my heart.

The Mental Health First Aid courses available in Blackburn and Darwen are empowering. They are incredibly informative and useful in terms of being able to feel more comfortable talking to people who may be struggling or at risk of suicide.

Having the right training can make all the difference.

There is more information about the Suicide Prevention Day activities in Blackburn with Darwen at World Suicide Prevention Day – Be Well BWD.