September is National Suicide Awareness Month

A huge amount has changed over the last decade about the importance of looking after our mental health. We are all now more accepting of mental health problems and more supportive of people with issues. We are more aware of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and are more willing to talk to health professionals and seek treatment.  But there is still a big stigma surrounding talking more openly about suicide.

Samaritans want to encourage open, honest conversations about suicidal feelings.   Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for us all to come together, raise awareness, and take meaningful steps towards preventing suicide and supporting those who may be struggling to cope. The Samaritans, campaign with over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA).

Alyson Bowcott on her show "Your Health Matters" spoke with:

Claire Goodey - Counselling and Psychotherapy who specialises in early intervention supporting adults, children and young people Contact her clairegoodey@talktalk.net 07496 068 675

Shariff Booklay and Trevor Aird from Menshare  - a support group for men in Crawley, East Grinstead and Horley Mensharelisteninggroup.co.uk 07508 336995 letstalk@mslg.org

For More Information

Samaritans - call 116123 available 24/7
Calm - open daily 5pm to midnight 0800 585 858
Sussex Mental Healthline - 0800 0309 500 available 24/7
SHOUT - text based mental health support and confidential - text "SUSSEX" to 85258
Anxiety UK - 03444 775 774 Monday to Friday 9.30 - 5.30 pm

Allsorts Youth Project for the LGBTQ+ community 01273 721 allsortsyouth.org.uk
YES Services (Youth Emotional Support) 033 02226711 yes@westsussex.gov.uk
Papyrus-uk.org - Suicide prevention/well-being website with lots of resources 9.00 to midnight 0800 068 4141
actionforchildren.org.uk
Asian Family Counselling Services provide low cost confidential and culturally sensitive mental health and relationship counselling in five languages 020 8574 0912 Asian Family Counselling.org