Greater Manchester will be marking its fifth Month of Hope, which starts on 10th September until 10th October 2023.
The Greater Manchester Month of Hope is delivered as part of Shining a Light on Suicide, an NHS Greater Manchester campaign, which aims to bring the issue of suicide out of the dark and break the stigma that surrounds it. The month begins on World Suicide Prevention Day and is focussed on encouraging open conversations about suicide to happen across Greater Manchester. We lose over 200 people a year to suicide across Greater Manchester, but research shows that talking honestly about suicide can help save lives.
Research tells us that talking about suicide doesn’t put the idea in someone’s mind but can lead to a person feeling supported reducing their risk of taking their life. Just being there to listen and showing you care can help, but people often feel they lack the skills, knowledge, or confidence to talk about suicide. That’s why the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign, alongside charity Zero Suicide Alliance, is encouraging everyone to set aside just 20 minutes to take its free online that will help you spot the signs that someone may be thinking of suicide and increase your confidence to talk to them about it. Visit: www.shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/learn-to-save-a-life.
To mark the Month of Hope, a number of events are happening across Greater Manchester, to raise awareness and instil hope. These include several vigils of remembrance, which offer the chance to come together as a community and aim to honour those lost to suicide and provide support for the bereaved. For more information visit www.shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/events.
Support for people feeling suicidal
- Anyone can experience suicidal thoughts and it can feel hard to know how to talk to someone.
Whether you’re feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, get the support you need. Visit shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk or call Samaritans on 116 123.
Support in a mental health crisis
Local NHS services offer free helplines to help people living in the areas we serve. If you are worried or anxious about your mental health or feeling as though you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent support and help, please don’t hesitate to call. The helplines are also there for you if you are concerned about a loved one, neighbour, friend or family member. They’re open all day and night, 365 days per year and are free of charge.
- If you live in Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford or Wigan, call 0800 953 0285 (Greater Manchester Mental Health)
- If you live in Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside or Stockport, call 0800 014 9995 (Pennine Care)
For support in your local area, please visit www.shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/help-in-your-area
