Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, an awareness day held every year to signal a worldwide commitment to prevent suicides, with various activities taking place around the world.
World Suicide Prevention Day resonates personally with many people, particularly Chief Inspector Adam Henderson, who lost his elder brother Toby to suicide in 2014.
CI Adam Henderson (left) younger brother David Henderson (right)
More than three quarters of all UK suicides are men and it is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.
Ch Insp Henderson, who works in the force’s intel department, is aiming to raise awareness of this by running the MBNA Chester Marathon on Sunday 2nd October. He will be raising money for the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) who exist to prevent male suicide in the UK, and offer support and advice to men who are feeling down or in crisis.
He said: “There is a stigma in our society surrounding suicide, that it is somehow shameful and a subject best avoided because it makes people feel awkward and uncomfortable.
“My brother’s death has given me a real passion to break down the stigma attached to suicide as well as mental ill health generally in society. Although it’s important to recognise suicide can affect people who are not suffering from a diagnosed mental health condition.
Toby Henderson
“While my brother was not a member of the police the cause certainly resonates with the force’s values of friendship and the work being done with the charity Mind to try and break down some of the cultural barriers around mental ill health within the emergency services.
“Last year, through the humbling generosity of family, friends and complete strangers, myself and my younger brother David raised more than £3,000 for CALM by completing the Birmingham half marathon.
“This year we will run our first full marathon in Chester together with friends who have supported us throughout this ordeal, to mark the two year anniversary of Toby’s death.”
Anyone who wants to make a donation can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com\ForToby
If you are feeling down or are having, or have had, thoughts about taking your own life, it's important you ask someone for help. The Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 or via email to jo@samaritans.org.
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