Suicide Awareness

A topic many sweep under the carpet but is not talked about as much as it should be.

Over the last two weeks, suicide has featured in a number of TV documentaries including 'Our Silent Emergency', 'Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death' & of course Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah.

1 in 5 people in the U.K. will experience suicidal thoughts at some point during the course of their lives with 3/4 of men struggling to confide in those close to them about their mental health problems and rates equalling 16.9 deaths per 100,000 in men and 5.3 deaths per 100,000 in women.

Having watched all three of these documentaries, one thing it has taught us is that no one knows what goes on inside someone's mind even when they say they are okay when asked. Suicide can affect anyone regardless of their physical health, their wealth, support network, lifestyle and academic/personal/professional achievements.

Some of the other lessons it has brought is that we need to judge our words carefully, comments on social media anonymously or in real life hold more weight than you could imagine and more importantly be kind and just let people be themselves, it costs nothing 'everyone is different but equal in their own unique way'.

If there is anyone out there that is struggling, please know that there is some good in this crazy world and that there are people/charities out there who do care and want to help, all it takes is that first step in saying that you are not okay even if they ask you twice if you're okay. If this last year has taught us anything, its that talking to someone can really help and can really prevent that last resort to find peace.

There are a number of charities out there such as Mind, Sane and Samaritans who can help you out and have online tools/resources to help cope with what you are feeling whether you need someone to talk to or just need to let off steam over something that has happened.

I encourage anyone who hasn't watch the documentaries to do so as it really shows the triggers that can lead to people taking their own lives as well as the signs that someone is struggling in both males & females and the elements that can be used to help prevent close family members/friends taking their own lives.

The final message, and most important one, is please PLEASE don't suffer in silence and talk to someone. Never bottle up your feelings, talking really does help. 💙💙💙