This year the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day was “Working Together”, reminding us we can all make a difference in our communities. Grassroots marked the day with awareness raising activities across the city, supported by a range of generous local businesses. Those supporting included:
- Be Fries – who were raising awareness
in store and donating funds - Boho Gelato – who were donating funds raised with a special, promotional flavour, “Self-Care-amel”
- Hove Gelato – who were donating funds raised with a special, promotional flavour, “Rum and Raisin-Awareness”, and training staff in suicide prevention
- Lush – who held a “Charity Pot” Party for our benefit
- Raffle prizes were donated by: Happy Maki; Yoga in the Lanes; Brighton Electric; Studio 95; Brighton Lindy Hop; Bodhisattva Buddhist Centre; Old Tree Brewery; Studio; Franco Manca; and The Old Ship Hotel
Dashal Beevers from Be Fries said: “We are proud and very pleased to be supporting such a worthy cause. Our family has sadly lost someone through mental illness, it’s still a difficult subject for lots of people. Working with Grassroots is something we feel strongly about and anything we can do to help people not feel alone in those difficult times is really important. Please support Grassroots who help break down barriers so people can get the help that’s needed.”
Zoe Rogers from Hove Gelato said: “We are supporting Grassroots suicide prevention as they are promoting open and positive conversation about suicide – this is a subject that can and does affect us all – please spread awareness and keep talking”
Simon Goddard from Yoga in the Lanes said: “All our staff here at Yoga in the Lanes welcome the opportunity to support the valuable and often critical work that is undertaken by the good people at Grassroots.”
On the evening of 10 September Grassroots hosted an event at the The Hope on Queens Road. This included an eclectic mix of music, inspiring talks, and some very special guests. Speakers included individuals who make an impact in their own way to prevent suicide, including employees from Brighton & Hove Buses, and Amex.
Grassroots Chief Executive Stella Comber said: “This event is a wonderful example of a community coming together to take action in support of suicide prevention. We want everyone to know that they can make a difference in their own lives and their own community by having open and honest conversations about suicide. Many deaths by suicide are preventable. Our purpose is to unite the community in their efforts by sharing the skills, confidence and resources needed, so that more lives can be saved and the devastating impact of suicide on individuals and the community avoided.”