I’ve spent my whole working career working with children and young people and never in that time has poor mental health been so prevalent amongst young people as it is now. Yet it is being severely neglected by the government with a lack of funding in schools to support this and a lack of youth services. 

Sadly, I have also had first hand experience of how suicide can impact those people left behind.

As a teen, I had thoughts that life wasn’t worth living, as I was struggling to come to terms with my sexuality. I was very lucky to have had access to professional support to overcome that period of my life. 

PAPYRUS is the national Charity for the Prevention of Young Suicide. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK, every year over 1800 young people took their own lives. PAPYRUS provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINE247. Every £5 raised can contribute towards a life-saving contact to HOPELINE247. Your donations really are lifesaving, thank you.