Back in 2022 I was honoured to take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay to mark the beginning of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, 3 years later I am privileged to be carrying a different Baton, one that means a whole lot more. The Baton of Hope.

The Baton of Hope UK is designed to be the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen.

On Tuesday 23rd September I will be joining others in taking the Baton on Hope on a tour through Hastings, East Sussex as part of the 12 day tour throughout the UK.

It's a frightening statistic but in the UK suicide is the biggest killer of everyone under 35 and for men under 50. The BIGGEST killer; not COVID; not Cancer; not Drugs; not Road Accidents but suicide. So why aren't we talking about it? If suicide were a virus, surely we'd be on the hunt for a vaccine. There's been stigma surrounding this subject for generations we owe it to ourselves to get better educated as something has to change.

Stigma and societal expectations can prevent men from seeking help, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses and treatments. For those who know me a more personally that’s why I support clothing brand Boys Get Sad Too and I have pledged myself to engage with everyone else I see wearing their clothing, a quick check in can really brighten someone’s day and may even save a life.

Suffering with a mix of anxiety and depression was a real struggle, although well controlled and at bay now, I know how quickly those symptoms could come back. Supporting those that struggle with their mental health is really important and ending the stigma and embarrassment felt by young males is something I am extremely passionate about.

The Baton of Hope UK say - “We are part of a growing movement aspiring to a zero-suicide society, and will simply not tolerate more than 6,000 suicide deaths per year in the UK (as currently) when most suicides are preventable.

We have a vision of a society where suicide and suicide prevention are openly and widely discussed, where we inspire hope through action, where people are suitably supported, and where everyone plays their part in realising this vision.”