People in Leicester are being invited to take part in a special community event at Leicester’s Haymarket Shopping Centre as part of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, 10 September.
Organised by the public health team at Leicester City Council, the event will give people the opportunity to add messages to a Wall of Hope, find out about local mental health support services and learn more about free suicide prevention training available across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Representatives from Samaritans and The Tomorrow Project Suicide Bereavement Service will also be on hand to offer information, advice and support throughout the session, which runs from 10am to 3pm.
It forms part of local activities marking World Suicide Prevention Day, which this year carries the theme Change the Narrative and encourages people to start conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
A key focus of the campaign is men’s mental health. The city council and local partners are using the day to promote a new Men’s Mental Health Booklet, which brings together practical advice, local support services and guidance to help men look after their mental wellbeing and access support when they need it.
Men continue to be disproportionately affected by suicide, and organisers hope the booklet will encourage more men to seek help, talk openly about mental health and support one another.
Rob Howard, Leicester’s Director of Public Health said: “World Suicide Prevention Day is an important opportunity to remind people that support is available and that no one has to face difficult times alone.
“Sometimes a simple conversation can make a real difference. By helping people feel more confident talking about mental health, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.”
The Mental Health Friendly Places programme provides free training and resources to businesses, community groups, sports clubs and voluntary organisations to help create welcoming spaces where people can talk openly about their mental health and be signposted to support.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, Leicester’s City Hall and the Cenotaph in Victoria Park will be illuminated in yellow and orange until 11 September.
More information available on the Start a Conversation website.
The men's mental health booklet is also available online