Around 6,000 people each year take their own lives each year in the UK due to mental illness and in July 2017, our treasured Sophia (Fia) Theobald became one of them.

She asked for help numerous times. This included visiting her local A&E but she didn't receive the help she so desperately needed and deserved.

As it stands, The Fia Not Campaign is a Community Group in the Wakefield District that aims to provide mental health support to those who need it. The idea is for us to speak to people who are currently struggling with their mental health, try to help them understand how they feel and offer any support using information we have available. Eventually, we would like The Fia Not Campaign to become a National Charity meaning we can branch out from our local area.

The Fia Not Campaign wants to change how the government perceives mental health and make them understand that this IS a disorder which needs to be taken seriously and is in dire need of funding. In turn, we will provide support without judgement, signpost individuals to services which are available, act as an advocate to said services and raise concerns within the failing systems. We hope this will end the stigma around mental health and provide a support network and safe haven to anyone who is struggling to survive inside their own heads.

To fund this, we are planning on a series of events. The first to take place will be Viva La Fia on 06th October 2018. This will become an annual flagship event showcasing local bands and singers who will perform for free so we can raise further awareness, raise further funds and the remembrance of Fia.

Please click on the link below for more details on Viva La Fia:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1579734148787512/

Fia was incredibly special to us. This may seem typical to say about a person who has passed away but she was an inspiration and light which entered all of our lives. She was kind-hearted, selfless, uniquely funny and an absolute joy to be around - when you met Fia once, you never forgot her! Despite her problems, she volunteered at her local homeless hostel. This was to help her pave her way to become a mental health nurse but unfortunately this was never meant to be.

We will never stop Fighting For Fia.