IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brent community to highlight suicide prevention on World Mental Health Day

Wednesday 2^nd October 2019: London charity Hestia is inviting all Brent residents to open a dialogue on suicide prevention this World Mental Health Day (Thursday 10^th October), with a community event hosted in the borough.

The event, which is hosted at Brent’s Stonebridge Hub and open to all residents, will look to raise awareness of mental health issues and see members of the community come together to share their stories, tools, and common goals for recovery.

According to the Office for National Statistics (2019), 128 deaths by suicide were registered in Brent between 2012 and 2017.

Nationwide, the rate of deaths registered as suicide is on the increase, with a rise of 11.8% between 2017 and 2018. Last year, the Office for National Statistics recorded 6,507 deaths with suicide as the cause.

Attendees will have the chance to engage in creative wellbeing activities, discussions around physical and mental health, and a buffet lunch.

Mayor of Brent, Cllr Ernest Ezeajughi, will attend the event and speak with members of the community about mental health in the borough.

Joy Goddard, Hestia’s Mental Health service in Brent, said ahead of the event:

“We all have mental health, and sometimes, we need support from those around us in maintaining and improving it. World Mental Health Day gives us a real opportunity to shine a light on this often taboo subject and encourage our community to come together and promote recovery in a welcoming, safe space.

The rate of suicide is increasing, and this can’t continue. We believe there’s real power in conversation and talking, and we want offer that opportunity for people in Brent to use their voice to create change.”

If you are interested in attending the World Mental Health Day community event, which runs from 1:30pm to 4:30pm on Thursday 10^th October, you can register your attendance on Eventbrite.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10^th October under a different theme, with this year’s theme focusing on suicide prevention.

About Hestia:  

Hestia provides mental health community support in Brent, alongside 33 mental health services across 10 London boroughs. Last year, the charity supported 2,200 adults across their services.

Hestia supports adults and children across London in times of crisis.  

Last year Hestia worked with more than 9,000 people, including victims of modern slavery, women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, young care leavers and older people. From giving someone a home to helping them to get the right mental health support, we support and enable people at the point of crisis. 

Hestia is also the home of UK SAYS NO MORE, a national campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence across the UK. 

Hestia.org  
@Hestia1970

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