Beeston-based mental health charity Touchstone has organised a walk and talk in Cross Flatts Park on Tuesday (10 September 2024) to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2024.
The theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day is “Changing the Narrative”. 1 in 5 of us will have thoughts about suicide in our lifetime and 15 people sadly pass away by suicide every day in the UK. Each death has a huge impact on our communities and yet many of us struggle to talk about it.
Touchstone wants to help change the narrative on suicide and are holding community walks and talks across Leeds, Kirklees and Wakefield to raise awareness of suicide, encourage conversation, and show people that they are not alone.
Walking and Talking Together to Change the Narrative
These walks will be led by staff and volunteers from across Touchstone services, including Live Well Leeds, Being You Leeds, Men’s Health Unlocked, Better Together, and Here For You. The walks are open to everyone, including those who: experience thoughts of suicide; have been affected by suicide; support others in need; wish to improve your own understanding; or simply want to show your support.
We appreciate everyone has different abilities so join us to ‘walk a while…maybe up to a mile’ or simply come along to your local park to show your support. Join the walk in Cross Flatts Park (LS11 7BQ at 11am on Tuesday 10 September.
On each walk, we will stop at waypoints to discuss suicide and suicide prevention to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. While this is a great opportunity for us all to come together, we know this can be a very difficult day for some and we will provide resources and support throughout.
Then on Thursday (12 September) Kirkgate Market will play host to a special event showcasing a range of support services on offer in Leeds as Leeds City Council’s public health team has organised a ‘market place’ style event at the city centre venue.
The event will host stalls showcasing services which provide support for many of these risk factors such as Gambling With Lives, Carers Leeds, the self-harm charity Battle Scars, Leeds Survivor Led Crisis, Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service and many more.
Data released last week by the Office for National Statistics shows the three-year average suicide rate in Leeds for 2021-2023 was 11.6 per 100,000 people – higher than the England average rate of 10.7.
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said:
“In Leeds, around one person dies every five days as a result of suicide and every death leaves behind family, friends, colleagues and communities shattered by the loss.
“We have a long-term commitment to suicide prevention in Leeds and, together with our partners across the city, are proud to support World Suicide Prevention Day.
“We can all play a part in preventing suicide and looking out for those around us. ”
For up-to-date details on support services available in Leeds visit suicidepreventionwestyorkshire.co.uk/support/leeds.
Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day on 116 123 or via email jo@samaritans.org.
This post is based on press releases issued by Touchstone and Leeds City Council
Photo: Shutterstock
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