If you are struggling there is always someone here to help - Rachael Musgrave

If you are struggling there is always someone here to help - Rachael Musgrave

At the end of the month the largest suicide awareness and prevention campaign will bring the ‘Baton of Hope’ to Greater Manchester as part of a tour of cities across the country.

The baton, which is making its way from Glasgow to London, represents a simple message; ‘where there is hope, there is a real opportunity to save lives’. That hope is brought about by people talking openly about mental health and suicide, learning to spot the signs, asking the right questions, and listening without judgement. Helping those who need it, rediscover hope.

That message echoes our own continued effort in Wigan Borough to normalise conversations about mental health and wellbeing so that everyone feels like they can reach out for support whenever they need it.

This month, we will also mark Loneliness Awareness Week. Feeling lonely is something that all of us can experience at any point and it can have a huge impact on our wellbeing. It’s important to remember that these feelings can pass and that there are lots of ways we can help each other.

The simplest way is reaching out; taking a walk with a friend, inviting someone out for a coffee or offering a shoulder to lean on. Little actions can sometimes make the biggest difference.

Across the borough we are fortunate to have a wide range of fantastic community groups and organisations that provide support to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing. You can also speak to your GP or make contact with NHS Talking Therapies – and remember Samaritans and Papyrus are only a phone call away, with both helplines open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are struggling due to some of life’s challenges, whether it be the cost of living, addiction or housing problems, Wigan Council has teams available to help and provide advice.

So as the Baton of Hope makes its journey to Greater Manchester on June 29, make sure you take the time to reflect on how you are feeling and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you feel you need it.

Wigan Council is also encouraging all residents to consider taking 20 minutes out of the day to do free ‘Save a Life Training’ – part of Greater Manchester’s Shining a Light on Suicide campaign - that will give you the skills needed to help someone who struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Training can be found on Shining a light on suicide (external link).

If you need urgent support, contact Samaritans – open 24 hours a day - on 116 123. You can also contact Papyrus on 0800 068 4141.

Find details about baton of hope (external link).