In memory of Jamie, on 6th May 2017, we are climbing Snowdon and then doing the 4 person zip wire.
I didn't know Jamie really....but I know his mum and his dad. And I know Jamie was loved, and supported. I know he had amazing friends and fantastic siblings. I met them at his funeral.
I know Jamie was gorgeous, and his smile could light up a room. I saw videos. And that he made people laugh. That he was intelligent, generous, brilliant at languages ....and he touched the world.
But I also know that Jamie lived with despair....and one day it overcome him.
Jamie took his life last December.....and he left a hole in the world.

I live with mental health....I work with mental health..... I know the statistics and I have seen families weep.
But seeing my beautiful radiant cousin and her husband carrying their son on his last journey is not something I want to see again. Jamie's despair became a wound that won't heal for his parents.

We all know statistics.....1 in 4 people will experience mental health problems .....the statistics are so common that we joke 'well it's not me so it must be you!'
But the statistics we don't hear are really shocking......

Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2017 tells us

6,188 suicides were registered in the UK

The highest suicide rate in the UK was for men aged 40–44.

Rates have increased in the UK (by 3.8%)

female suicide rates are at their highest in a decade.

Male rates remain consistently higher than female suicide rates across the UK

But let's think about our husbands, brothers, friends, etc and know that they are at risk ....

The risk of suicide amongst workers in the construction and building trade is 1:6 higher than the average I'm married to a guy in construction, I am shocked by that statistic.
And for roofers and tilers that risk increases to 2:7.

We can keep reading statistics. We can shake our heads and ask why. Or we can try to make a difference ....

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