Dear Business,
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, Southend BID are delighted to share #LetsTalkAboutSuicideEssex, a campaign spearheaded by Thurrock & Brentwood Mind Charity and Mid & South Essex Health & Care Partnership.
In 2019, in Essex alone, 111 people took their own life and 83% of those were male. Suicide is, in fact, the leading cause of death in the UK of men under 50, taking more lives than cancer, heart disease, heart attacks or road traffic accidents. In 2018 over 6,500 people in the UK took their own life.
A life is lost in UK every 2 hours through suicide and thousands of us experience suicidal thoughts and feelings every single day. With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now amid a mental health crisis.
Suicide is a preventable and avoidable death, and we believe everyone should know how to talk and support to someone who is having suicidal thoughts.
Could YOU spot the signs of someone who is struggling with their mental health?
Would YOU know how to have the conversations with someone?
Would YOU feel comfortable saying the word SUICIDE to a loved one or colleague?
Would YOU be able to save a life?!
We are asking local businesses to get involved and allow employees to take the FREE 20-minute online Suicide Prevention Training.
We believe everyone should have the basic knowledge and training in suicide prevention just like you would for choking, drowning or even what to look out for in stroke. The training will help employees, employers, and individuals to understand and look out for one another.
You can access the training at www.letstalkaboutsuicideessex.co.uk.
If you would like to get more involved, we can distribute flyers and posters for your business to utilise, such as the one below. You will also be added to the honour roll on the #LetsTalkAboutSuicideEssex website.
Every life lost is one too many. What if you conversation you had with someone was their last? You may only get one opportunity to save a life.