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Guernsey suicide awareness walk raises thousands for charity

Guernsey suicide awareness walk raises thousands for charity

BBC News23-06-2025
A walk to highlight suicide awareness and prevention has raised around £8,000.More than 700 people set off on Sunrise Walk of Hope across Guernsey on Sunday in aid of mental health charity Guernsey Mind.Now in its fifth year, the four mile (six kilometre) trek has been described as a "real game changer" in encouraging people to talk about a subject still largely considered taboo, despite touching the lives of so many. Jo Cottell, the charity's chief executive, called the event "a testament to the strength and resilience of our community".
The walkers set off at 04:00 BST from Vale Castle and ended at La Vallette Bathing Pools, where refreshments were provided and many took the opportunity for an early morning swim.There representatives from the Samaritans, the Sunflower Project and Guernsey Mind were on hand to talk to people. The Guernsey Suicide Awareness Group also set up a memory tree at the Town Church where people wrote the names of loved ones, along with messages in their memory. Members of the men's group Odyssey also walked the entire route barefoot as "a small but meaningful act" to raise awareness of male mental health.
Ms Cottrell added: "Many participants walked in memory of loved ones, wearing signs on their shirts. "The atmosphere was one of compassion, solidarity and support, reminding us that no one has to walk alone in their journey."The funds raised from the event will contribute towards Guernsey Mind's ongoing work supporting mental wellbeing.
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  • The Guardian

Remember When by Fiona Phillips review – an unsparing insight into early-onset Alzheimer's

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Footie tickets to be prescribed on NHS in bid to stop over-use of antidepressant pills
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The Sun

time5 hours ago

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Footie tickets to be prescribed on NHS in bid to stop over-use of antidepressant pills

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'Men typically don't really talk about their issues, that's the thing, and you get loneliness and things like that as well.' Dr Opher's concerns about over-prescribing began early in his career as a GP in 1995. Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). He said: 'I'd started seeing there are a lot of people depressed out there, a lot of people with low mood, so I started putting a lot of them on antidepressants or referring them to mental health. 'Quite a few of them, one in four, maybe even more, would just come back no better, but with intractable problems. 'What I realised is that tablets didn't help them, we had nothing to help them. 'I thought we needed to try something different and do a different behaviour.' Football clubs have previously been involved in so-called social prescriptions.

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