Published Friday 1 September 2023 at 11:55
A special walk and vigil will take place in Darwen and Blackburn next week to help people come together to raise awareness of suicide prevention in the borough.
The events will mark World Suicide Prevention Day and will aim to bring people together in memory of lost loved ones, share messages of hope and to help people with a range of support around suicide prevention.
They are taking place on Friday, September 8th and everyone is welcome to join in and come along.
We are inviting people and groups to join us on a walk from Darwen to Blackburn on the day to raise awareness and share messages of hope. You are invited to bring a banner with a message of hope to share.
- The walk will start from Cafe Hub Darwen, at 3 Foundry street Darwen BB3 0HB, meeting at 10.30am for an 11am start.
- It will head into Blackburn to join the World Suicide Prevention Day vigil which starts at 12.45pm outside Blackburn Town Hall.
You can book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-suicide-prevention-day-walk-tickets-695248455847?aff=oddtdtcreator
The events 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 ongoing theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’. This theme is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire confidence and light in all of us.
The Council is working with the Blackburn with Darwen Suicide Prevention Strategic Group and key local partner organisations to give a wide range of support on the day and beyond.
The main part of the vigil will include a 40 second silence, to highlight that one person dies of suicide around the world every 40 seconds.
There will also be speeches from local people who have lived experience of suicide, having lost loved ones, as well as local mental health champions and councillors who will be there to support the event.
The vigils will also pay tribute to those in our communities who have completed a Suicide Prevention Course. These members of the community are known as Orange Button Holders and can be recognised by the Orange Buttons that they may choose to wear – this shows that they are here for anyone who wants to talk to someone about mental health difficulties they may be experiencing.
They are there to listen without judgement and you can inform people where to find help and support. Orange Button Holders will be present at the vigil too – find out more about this here: https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/orange-button/ or Mental Health Training for Adults – Be Well BWD
Councillor Brian Taylor is a member of the Suicide Prevention Strategic Group and an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, and has completed Suicide Prevention Courses.
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 Mental Health Training for Adults – Be Well BWD
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 am a passionate mental health and suicide prevention advocate and have been for quite a few years. I have personal experience of being affected by suicide through the deaths of two close relatives, and I always hope I can help other people who are going through the same situation.
I have taken these courses and have found then really useful, in learning to talk to people who may be struggling or at risk, or talking to people who are struggling with losing a loved one to suicide. This is very important to me and is a subject very close to my heart.
It is so important to mark WSPD in order to raise awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding suicide, in order to reduce instances of suicide in our local communities. We want to give hope and show support to anyone in our community who may be struggling.”
Councillor Damian Talbot, Executive member for Public Health, Prevention and Wellbeing, said:
We know that so many people can be affected by the effects of suicide, from family, friends and whole communities. Every story, no matter who is involved, is heart-breaking and painful.
The Council and our partners are doing wide-ranging work across the borough which is helping to break the stigma around suicide, helping people to talk more openly about it and helping people to get the support they need.
This year’s event is slightly different as we are holding the special walk from Darwen to further help to raise awareness of suicide and I would encourage everyone who is able to join in at the walk or the vigil to do so to show your support for this incredibly important issue.”
You can find all the information around the walk, the vigils and Orange Button holders here: https://bewellbwd.com/https-bewellbwd-com-category-news/world-suicide-prevention-day-2023/
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