'It's about hope' - Suicide campaign tour reaches Birmingham
The Baton of Hope is passing through 12 cities to raise awareness of UK suicide
A powerful campaign aimed at tackling the UK's high rates of suicide is making its way through Birmingham today, as part of a tour of 12 major UK cities.
The Baton of Hope is an Olympic-style relay which started in Glasgow on Sunday 25th June, and will arrive in London on Thursday (6 June).
The Baton will be carried through Birmingham by families who've lost loved ones to suicide, suicide survivors, campaigners and local figures passionate about reducing stigma about mental health issues.
More than 5000 people in the UK take their own lives every year.
"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 started in Glasgow on June 25th, and has visited Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff and Bristol.
In Birmingham, Olympic Gold Medallist Chris Boardman will begin the tour leg at the Alexander Stadium, the home of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Team GB athletes will then carry the Baton to Villa Park, where partner charities of the Aston Villa Foundation will showcase how they are using football as therapy.
Moving to West Midlands Police HQ, Chief Constable Craig Guildford will address the issue of mental ill health. From here, the Baton will ride with charity partners aboard a ‘Chariot of Charity’, a special tram carriage provided by Transport for West Midlands, as it makes its way to New Street Station.
There will then be a musical tribute to the work of the Birmingham LGBTQ+ Centre for mental health taking place at the Hippodrome Square Gay Village, and performances focusing on the arts as therapy at Edgbaston MAC Theatre. After talks by Papyrus and other leaders in youth mental health at the University of Birmingham, the Baton will reach Centenary Square, where Mayor Andy Street will address guests, followed by live performances.
From Birmingham, the baton will travel to Milton Keynes and Brighton, before ending the tour in London.
Mike added: "There are lots of things out there that represent physical wellbeing - shields, trophies - but what's out there that celebrates mental wellbeing?
"Well this does, this is not about death and despair, it's about life and hope.
"We hope to raise awareness, smash the stigma, it's time for change because its only when you open up you realise there is help out there, there is support out there."
The Baton was put on show at an event in Parliament last month, 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 Head 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 the Mental Health Monday Podcast