Think2Speak says it's okay to talk this World Suicide Prevention Day

Think2Speak CIC, as a member of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA), is teaming up with Andy’s Man Clubs to encourage men to reach out for help and support when life feels overwhelming

In the run-up to World Suicide Prevention Day, (Sept 10), Think2Speak is one of 70 organisations in England who are joining together in a big national unified push to reduce deaths by suicide, by telling men that ‘it’s okay to talk’.

The initiative comes after an online campaign of the same name reached millions of people globally last month.

TV stars, sportsmen, comedians and public figures all over the world shared pictures of themselves making an OK sign with their hands, alongside the hashtag #ITSOKAYTOTALK.

Now, Think2Speak is working with Halifax rugby player Luke Ambler, who created the campaign and founded the Andy’s Man Club support movement for men, after losing his brother to suicide earlier this year, to push the message out well beyond the internet.

Luke Ambler said: “We didn’t know anything was wrong with Andy, and then he took his own life. I don’t want anyone to go through what we continue to go through, so we’re delighted to be working with the National Suicide Prevention Alliance to get the message out that ‘it’s okay to talk’, to as many men as possible. If you’re struggling to cope, even if you think nobody will understand, take that first step, talk to someone, ring Samaritans, go and see a friend, speak to your GP. Your life matters.”

Statistics show that men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women and that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.

Naomi Watkins, Think2Speak Co-Founder said: “The success of “#ITSOKAYTOTALK” online shows that suicide affects everybody. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. We need to make it easier for people to talk through difficult thoughts and feelings, but it’s also important that charities, organisations and agencies work harder and better together to tackle suicide in a unified, organised way. Together we can save lives.”

Find out more about the #ITSOKAYTOTALK campaign and how Think2Speak is joining up with Andy’s Man Clubs and other charities and bodies working to reduce suicide on the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA) website here:  www.nspa.org.uk/home/our-work/wspd/

For further information and interview requests, please contact: Lizzie Jordan, lizzie.jordan@think2speak.com 01522 253 155

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Notes to editors:

• Think2Speak is a Lincoln based community interest company working with young people, and their schools, to enable them to thrive.  
• The National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA) is a cross-sector, England-wide coalition committed to reducing the number of suicides in England, and improving support for those bereaved or affected by suicide.
• There are 70 organisations who are members of the NSPA, from the public, private and voluntary sectors, who are committed to working towards reducing suicide and providing support for people bereaved or affected by suicide. For a full list of members see www.nspa.org.uk

4,882 people took their own lives in England in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available.  The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 800,000 people die by suicide each year globally.

·       World Suicide Prevention Day falls on September 10 every year. This year the theme is ‘Connect, Communicate, Care’.  For more information, visit www.iasp.info/wspd