Powerful suicide campaign to embark on UK tour
The Baton of Hope is heading to 12 cities over 12 days to raise awareness of UK suicide
A powerful campaign aimed at tackling the UK's high rates of suicide is heading to 12 major cities this summer.
The Baton of Hope is an Olympic-style relay starting in Glasgow at the end of June, before arriving in London 12 days later.
More than 5000 people take their own lives every year in the UK.
The Baton will be carried by families who've lost loved ones to suicide, suicide survivors, campaigners and local figures passionate about reducing stigma about mental health issues.
"You're not alone"
Founder Mike McCarthy lost his son Ross to suicide - and says he hopes it sends a message that people can talk about their issues, and that those bereaved by suicide are not alone.
Speaking to our Mental Health Monday Podcast, he said: "Why did I not know, why does nobody know, that suicide is the biggest killer of young people in this country?
"For every suicide suicide there are family, colleagues, schoolmates, literally hundreds of people. We can tell people they are not alone, let's come together, let's speak with one voice.
"And if you're one of those people who are in that dark place, please stay.
"Because there are people out there who care, you are deserving of your place on this planet and there are people who are compassionate who want to help you."
Baton of Hope UK Tour
The tour starts in Glasgow on June 25th before heading around the UK
- Edinburgh - June 26th
- Newcastle - June 27th
- Sheffield - June 28th
- Manchester - June 29th
- Belfast - June 30th
- Cardiff - July 1st
- Bristol - July 2nd
- Birmingham - July 3rd
- Milton Keynes - July 4th
- Brighton - July 5th
- London - July 6th
The Baton was put on show at an event in Parliament last week, which was visited by more than 100 MPs, as well as mental health campaigners - including our Where's Your Head At campaign.
It was hosted by Watford MP Dean Russell, a Where's Your Head At ambassador, and was attended by industry professionals and mental health campaigner (and former Love Island contestant) Dr Alex George.
Where's Your At returns to Parliament
The event also championed changes in UK workplaces that would see mental health issues given parity with physical health issues - something Where's Your Head At has been campaigning on since 2018.
Our petition secured a debate in the Commons after receiving more than 200,000 signatures.
Dr Alex told us: "The reason backing campaigns like this is important is because the way we get change happening is when enough people decide the status quo isn't acceptable anymore, when enough people get together the big people can't ignore it any more and that's why it's important."
Find out more about the Baton of Hope tour and the Where's Your Head At campaign.
Listen to the full story on this week's Mental Health Monday Podcast