Dawn of Hope: A sponsored walk to raise money for Grassroots Suicide Prevention

More than 6,000 lose their life to suicide across the UK and Ireland each year. This leaves their families with unanswered questions, guilt, and little understanding of where things went wrong.

In 2019, my mother, who was only 41 killed herself. It happened with no warning—or at least we weren’t aware of any of the signs that she would do this. Living in rural Ireland, we had no access to services dedicated to mental health, no education at school on this topic and it certainly wasn’t ever discussed amongst friends and family.

Only one third of people who lose their life to suicide seek mental health services in the year before their death. This is usually due to a lack of services available to them and the fact mental health is still a “taboo” subject.

The day I lost my mother will forever be engraved in my memory. At twenty-one I had to sit down with my thirteen-year-old sister and tell her that our mum had died. I explained that even though she loved us very much she had become exhausted and couldn’t cope anymore. But at least she wasn’t sad now.

We went through a lot of emotional turmoil. This is why I know it is imperative that people continue to check in on the survivors of suicide as the emotional and psychological impacts can be profound and multifaceted. There is grief, guilt, blame, confusion and the sometimes-never-ending search for an answer as to why? On top of these adverse psychological and emotional factors, there is also the social stigma associated with suicide, that often leads to survivors feeling isolated.

Suicide needs to be talked about openly. It is the shame attached to poor mental health which leaves those people contemplating suicide, as well as their families, feeling isolated and unable to seek help. This fear of judgment and a lack of understanding leads to people withdrawing into themselves. Although more services are now available, suicide is a growing problem, especially amongst men and young people aged between 15-25.

Survivors are also at an increased risk of suicide themselves because the exposure to suicide can lower inhibitions against it.

Specialised therapy such as grief counselling or support groups can be extremely beneficial. Connecting with other people who have experienced similar losses can provide a sense of community and understanding and lessen that feeling of isolation and guilt.

Access to mental health care, including therapy and medication, is crucial in preventing suicide. Grassroots Suicide Prevention provide telephone helplines and services to help save lives. This is through educating, connecting and campaigning nationally, along with their Stay Alive App, which is free to download and is full of resources to help people stay safe.

This year, I and my employers, martin searle solicitors, will be holding a fundraising event called Dawn of Hope, a sponsored walk in aid of Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

This will take place on Friday 13 September 2024 starting at Brighton Pier at 6:00am and walking along the beach towards Rockwater. The sun will rise at around 6.30 am. This is symbolic - the Dawn of Hope.

We will be raising money through our Just Giving page and welcome these from businesses as well as individuals in our community. To donate, click here. On the day of the walk cash and card donations will also be accepted.

We would encourage anyone who has the time, to join us for our walk. If you would like to take part please sign up here.

We would love you to join us for a breakfast afterwards at 7am at Rockwater, provided by martin searle solicitors.

A speaker from Grassroots Suicide Prevention will set out the importance of their work and how your donations can help.

Dawn of Hope is a walk in memory of all those we have lost to suicide, for survivors, teachers, employers, friends and colleagues and for everyone currently battling with their mental health.

Find out more about the event here.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk