People who have found their way back from suicidal thoughts and feelings because someone listened are sharing their survival stories in a moving film to help others.
Made by arts charity Living Words to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, ‘Living Warriors: Keep Talking’ has been funded by a Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme grant to give hope.
The film re-unites several individuals who took part in Living Words’ Living Warriors suicide prevention project five years ago.
Following Warrior TJ Frost, we hear about their journeys towards better mental health and how talking about an issue like suicide ‘does make it smaller’.
TJ shares: “I’ve had a couple of blips. But, since doing the (original Warriors’) film I showed my family it was so easy to reach out this time and they actually listened to me, which really helps. Being involved in Living Warriors helped me keep the conversation going.”
Maidstone-based mental health charity Mid Kent Mind also features in the film, which is released to coincide with the global campaign themed ‘Changing the narrative on suicide’ with the call to ‘start the conversation’.
Also funded by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme, Mid Kent Mind’s free training gives people the confidence to talk about isolating emotions and experiences and find a way through.
In the film, in response to TJ saying: “Personally, when you start mentioning that word suicide, people start panicking”, Mark from Mid Kent Mind says: “We use AGE. Accept what someone is saying and be genuine yourself. Sometimes you don’t know what to say, so say: ‘that’s really difficult and I don’t know what to say right now’. If you can show empathy and caring, you can give that person some hope.”
Living Words Founder-Director Susanna Howard developed the organisation’s now CPD-accredited Listen Out Loud creative practice to help people experiencing dementias, mental ill health and terminal illness. The approach empowers new conversations to take place between those experiencing isolating conditions and their loved ones.
The importance of conversation in recovery is also underlined in the film by India, who had to overcome the stigma of grief and death and reconnect following the loss of her baby Toby.
Introducing us to her two-year-old son Oscar, India says: “It’s such a taboo subject…mental health is anyway, but especially child loss…No one really knows what to say.”
India and TJ agree that ‘the worst thing to do is just ignore it’ before India adds: “People have said to me ‘I don’t know what to say’ and I just go ‘that’s absolutely fine’. Even if you are just there to listen for a minute.”
Some of the final words of the film belong to TJ’s son, who has also struggled with his mental health. “I’m proud that she stood up; proud that she shared her story. I think it is very important to talk about suicide, life problems,” he says, before going on to reflect on his own experience. “Me and my mum have had many conversations and my mum's helped me through some dark spaces, understood me and never judged. I'm just a little bit lost. And that listening there can, I strongly believe…save a life.”
- Watch the latest Living Warriors film.
- Listening Out Loud – Living Words’ approach to empower new conversations
- Find out more about Mind training
Funded by NHS Kent and Medway, and run by Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council, the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Team leads on the local suicide prevention strategy.
There is support available
NHS Kent and Medway’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kate Langford, said: “As the Living Warriors film highlights, talking about feelings and listening to others are crucial to emotional wellbeing.
“When we hit severe low points in our lives, it can be difficult to reach out and we often struggle to share our feelings with family and friends, but we are never alone.
“If you need help, there is support available, including through the Release the Pressure phone and text service and Safe Havens – run by Mental Health Matters to help both before you reach crisis point and if you do find yourself there.”
You are not alone
Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Cllr Teresa Murray, said: “The stories in this latest project from Living Words serve as a powerful reminder that recovery from despair is possible. They also highlight the importance of talking and sharing your problems, rather than suffering in silence.
“The Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention programme funds training delivered by Mid Kent Mind, which is available to all residents to help build safe and supportive communities where people feel comfortable to talk about their mental health. If you are struggling or feeling hopeless, please reach out for the support available. You are not alone.”
Conversations can save lives
KCC Cabinet Member for Public Health, Dan Watkins, said: “Every suicide is a tragedy that has deep impacts on friends, families and communities. The Warriors’ latest film is a powerful reminder on World Suicide Prevention Day that conversations can save lives and there are local support services on hand.”
Power of sharing and connecting with others
KCC Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh said: “Living Words do amazing work and their latest project really drives home the power of sharing and connecting with others. As TJ says in the film ‘we have to keep expressing ourselves’. For anyone struggling to find hope, it’s a life-saving message and we’ll be working to help keep spreading the word.”
Support on offer
Live in Kent or Medway and finding life is tough? Talking can help. Release the Pressure also has a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through. Don’t suffer in silence: text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160.
People of all ages, including children, experiencing a mental health crisis or concerned family and loved ones, can also now call NHS 111, select the ‘mental health option’ and speak to a trained mental health professional. NHS staff can guide callers with next steps such organising face-to-face community support or getting access to other services. In an emergency, when someone’s life is at risk, always call 999.
For details of all services available to support you, including Safe Havens, visit the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub.