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SAVING LIVES Male suicides in England and Wales are now at their highest rate in two decades. A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that suicide rates for women are also at their highest since 2004 – with a significant rise among females aged 10 to 24. We look at initiatives to help us all play a part in talking to save lives. And we hear from one man who says we musn’t be afraid to have the conversation.
CHANGING THE
LANGUAGE OF STIGMA TV ANTHROPOLOGIST
ALICE TALKS MENTAL HEALTH Television anthropologist and biologist Professor Alice Roberts is presenting the first in a series of special Life Matters podcasts brought to your living room by the Zero Suicide Alliance.
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he academic, writer and broadcaster is a familiar face, as part of the BBC series Coast and Channel 4s Time Team. In the first podcast she reveals how her interest in mental health stems from her own experience of depression. It features a Bolton barber who offers a listening ear to clients who open up about personal issues, and hears how soaps like Hollyoaks are raising awareness of male suicide. To listen to the podcast go to: zerosuicidealliance.com
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A leading UK events organisation is joining the campaign to tackle the potentially lethal effect of stigmatising language around mental health.
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orporate Entertainment Professionals provides entertainment for corporate hospitality events. Following talks with the Zero Suicide Alliance and Mersey Care, the company is aiming to lead the way in sensitising marketing language and encouraging other agencies to do the same. They plan to remove acts with mental health connotations, such as a straitjacketed ‘patient’ who scares guests at events. And they’re renaming acts such as ‘Crazy Scientist’, advising clients against using ‘Psycho Ward’ and ‘Insane Asylum’ themes, and suggesting alternative themes. Joe Rafferty chairman of ZSA said: “I applaud CEP for the lead they are taking in helping to set the standards in their industry. Quite often the use of stigmatising
language used isn’t even intentional and sometimes it’s down to a lack of education, but we do know that by perpetuating existing stereotypes alienates those who need help and stops them from reaching out.” Owners Samantha Fellowes and Daisy Stapley-Bunten have also become ZSA members and are taking their suicide prevention training. Daisy, CEP’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “It’s important to say that the intention of this campaign isn’t to assign blame to the entertainment industry for past language used, but rather to encourage fellow agencies to follow suit and disrupt the status quo. I’m sure that together we can fight mental health stigma and we’re so honoured to be heading this initiative alongside the ZSA and Mersey Care.”
