A suicide awareness initiative that is touring the nation arrived in Manchester today bringing a message of hope to bereaved families and mental health campaigners.
The Baton of Hope is an olympic-torch style symbol on a week-long journey throughout the UK to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Families affected by suicide carried the baton from the Whitworth gallery to St Peter’s Square, where they wrote messages of hope onto the paving stones and walked an ‘infinity loop’ to commemorate their loved ones.
Adele Owen, a suicide prevention and bereavement support lead for the NHS, organised the baton’s Manchester visit.
She said: “This afternoon has been very moving. People have taken it in turns to carry the baton of hope. It’s been really emotional for them.
“It’s about getting people to talk about it, so that people know they can open up about it if they’re struggling and break the stigma. The stigma, the silence, is killing people.”
The baton started its journey at 9am this morning in Salford and was carried up the river by a rowing team.
It then visited Manchester United and Manchester City teams at the Old Trafford and Etihad stadiums earlier in the day, as well as the National Cycling Stadium and the Whitworth gallery.
A number of different charities and campaigners supported the event, and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also attended in the morning.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.
