Greater Manchester’s Month of Hope 2024

By NHS GM | 13 September 2024 | TAGS: Mental health, Month of Hope

People with lived experience of suicide will be helping Greater Manchester residents to have the confidence to hold life-changing conversations during this year’s Month of Hope (10 September – 10 October 2024).

As NHS Greater Manchester launches its new Shining a Light on Suicide strategy on 3 October, people whose lives have been affected by suicide will be at the heart of it all.

The Month of Hope aims to bring the issue of suicide out of the dark and break the stigma that surrounds it, encouraging open conversations about suicide to happen across Greater Manchester.

The month begins on World Suicide Prevention Day and ends on 10 October - World Mental Health Day.

On 3 October, the People’s History Museum will play host to an event to mark five years since NHS GM launched the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign.

Judd Skelton, Chair of Greater Manchester Suicide Prevention Programme Board, said:

“We lose over 200 people a year to suicide across Greater Manchester, but research shows that talking honestly and openly about suicide can help save lives.

“This year, we really wanted to bring people together to mark the launch of our new strategy and to hear directly from the people who matter most – those with lived experience.

“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 training 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.

Events

To mark the Month of Hope, a number of events are happening across Greater Manchester, to raise awareness and instil hope.

Month of Hope 2024 - Walks of Hope

Salford

• Venue: Monton Green, 1hour Wellbeing Walk - Walk of Hope
• Date: Thursday 26 September 2024
• Time: 10am - 11am (1hour)
• Meet at: Monton Green, M30 8AP. Meet near the bench.
• There's no need to pre-book tickets, just turn up on the day.

Wigan

Paper boat message release at Wigan Pier, followed by a memorial service at Wigan Parish Church, Bishopgate Wigan.

• Date: Sunday 8 September 2024
• Time: 2pm
• Meet at: Mesnes Park, WN1 1TU – meet near the Pavilion

Stockport

This event is open to all. The walk is approximately two miles and accessible.

• Date: Friday 20 September 2024
• Time: 10am (free refreshments after the walk at 12noon)
• Meet at: Vernon Park, Turncroft Lane, Stockport, SK1 4AR

To support the campaign, check out the communications toolkit and available assets by visiting the Campaign Resource Centre on the NHS GM website