World Suicide Prevention Day

On September 10, Greater Manchester will join a global initiative to mark World Suicide Prevention Day with an inaugural public candlelit vigil, hosted by the Salford mental health charity START, who is in their 25th anniversary year.

The vigil will take place 6.30pm, Monday, 10th September, World Suicide Prevention Day, at The Lowry Plaza, directly in front of The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays.

A procession of 109 yellow flags, each representing a life of loved ones, family members, colleagues and neighbours lost to suicide in Salford over the last five years , will open the vigil. The flags will be carried, and then flown from the offices of public and third sector service providers across Salford to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Week.

The occasion will also be marked with a candle ceremony, reading of a remembrance roll of names of those lost to suicide, a minute’s silence, speakers, poets and music by Salford’s Blaney.

Greater Manchester over the last five years has lost 1,279 loved ones, family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours to suicide .

The Vigil will remember those that we have lost and demonstrate to those that are grieving the loss of loved ones to suicide that our community is here for them with this mass demonstration of support. It will contribute towards smashing the stigma that is associated with suicide and contribute to our community enabling people to discuss suicide and to disclose when they are experiencing suicidal thoughts and enable lives to be saved.

Andy Burnham, GM Mayor, Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, and Prof Louis Appleby, Chair National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group will also be speaking at the vigil and will be oined by Poet Marvin Cheeseman, JB Barrington and Ed Blaney.

If you would like to add your loved ones name to the remembrance roll that will be read out at the vigil or further information please email Dennis.baldwin@startinspiringminds.org.uk or via social media @reachoutstes 

Help and support is available right now if you need it. You don't have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day.  Tel: 116 123 (free to call) Email: jo@samaritans.org  Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

For more information or queries please contact:

Dennis Baldwin, Communications Lead, START

Direct Tel: 0161 351 6021, Switchboard Tel: 0161 351 6000

Email: dennis.baldwin@startinspiringminds.org.uk  Website: www.startinspiringminds.org.uk

Published: 4-Sep-2018: (5032)