Walks to increase Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention across local and regional communities

Mental ill-health is a subject constantly in the news, mainly due to failing services. We can all suffer due to numerous issues such as stress relating to work pressure or financial issues, a relationship situation with family or a partner, a forthcoming exam and many more daily scenarios. One key aspect of mental health wellbeing is to understand the symptoms and make sure they do not overwhelm us and potentially create a crisis or place us in a vulnerable position.

This year, seven cities across the country are staging ‘Walking Out Of Darkness’ events to empower and inspire the public via a wide variety of means to reduce the possibility of being overwhelmed by stressful scenarios which might cause mental ill-health and lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Bristol's Walking Out Of Darkness event starts at College Green and then follows a route around the city centre, covering locations such as Park Street, Spike Island, Wapping Wharf and Queen Square. A refreshment point with toilet facilities will be provided opposite the SS Great Britain.

The three Thrive projects in London, Bristol and the West Midlands are collaborating with charities, services and the public to improve ‘Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention’ in their local areas to support the events and directly encourage all parties across local and regional communities to help highlight how together everyone can collaborate to improve ‘Mental Health Wellbeing’ at work, school and other daily aspects of our lives.

The ‘Walking Out Of Darkness’ events combine a mental health wellbeing festival with a fundraising walk, numerous local and national charities, services and organisations offering mental health information for the public, businesses, schools and parties from all walks of life, seeking to reduce anxiety and stress caused by everyday social issues. All parties are focused on raising mental health awareness, suicide prevention and ending the stigma surrounding mental ill-health.

The seven cities hosting the ‘Walking Out Of Darkness’ events include London on Saturday 12 May, Nottingham on Sunday 27 May, York on Sunday 10 May, Brighton on Sunday 24 May, Bristol on Sunday 9 September, Norwich on Sunday 23 September and Birmingham on Sunday 7 October.

Walking Out Of Darkness founder Kenny Johnston said: "The events are an opportunity for everyone to unite, enabling the public to come together with local/regional services, charities, businesses, schools and numerous parties to raise mental health awareness and suicide prevention."

"Having the support of Thrive London, West Midlands Thrive and Bristol Thrive along with Government departments, Mayor of London, NHS England, Public Health England, Sport England and charities across the country, highlights how countless organisations are collaborating to empower communities with information for mental wellbeing."

Cllr Asher Craig, Bristol Deputy Mayor for Communities, said: “I am glad to see that our city is joining others across the country in hosting a Walking Out of Darkness event.  In Bristol we are working together as a city to develop ‘Thrive Bristol’, a new 10 year programme to improve mental wellbeing for all. We understand that greater awareness around mental health is needed and hope that by taking part in a national event like this we will be able to show anyone suffering that they are not alone. “I hope that we will see plenty of people supporting this worthy cause this summer.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “I will be personally very proud to join walkers at this year’s West Midlands Walking Out Of Darkness in Birmingham in support of this wonderful cause.

“The great success of last year’s event here made it clear just how strong feelings are on these issues and I am extremely proud of the ground-breaking work by the WMCA Mental Health Commission and the Thrive West Midlands programme which continues to push boundaries in the field and make a genuine impact on people’s lives."

All three cities are working to improve Mental Health Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention across their regions, whilst encouraging more understanding in businesses, schools, universities and other sectors of mental health wellbeing.  

Interested in participating at one of the Walking Out Of Darkness events? Register at www.walkingoutofdarkness.com.

Help make a difference for millions of people across the country by walking and talking about mental health in unity with other participants. Plus, assist individuals suffering in silence and let them know, they are not alone.

If you need assistance or have concerns about your own or someone else’s mental health, please call NHS 111.

For more information or media enquiries, please contact CLASP Charity at hello@claspcharity.com or 0203 600 3601.