Made by arts charity Living Words to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, 'Living Warriors: Keep Talking’ has been funded by a Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme grant to give hope.
The film re-unites several individuals who took part in Living Words’ Living Warriors suicide prevention project five years ago.
Following Warrior TJ Frost, we hear about their journeys towards better mental health and how talking about an issue like suicide 'does make it smaller'.
TJ shares: "I've had a couple of blips. But, since doing the (original Warriors) film I showed my family it was so easy to reach out this time and they actually listened to me, which really helps. Being involved in Living Warriors helped me keep the conversation going."
Mark from Mid Kent Mind says we should feel ok about saying we don't know what to say when someone opens up about having suicidal throughts and feelings. The important thing is to be understanding and caring
Maidstone-based mental health charity Mid Kent Mind also features in the film, which is released to coincide with the global campaign themed 'Changing the narrative on suicide' with the call to 'start the conversation'.
Also funded by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme, Mid Kent Mind’s free training gives people the confidence to talk about isolating emotions and experiences and find a way through.
In the film, in response to TJ saying: "Personally, when you start mentioning that word suicide, people start panicking", Mark from Mid Kent Mind says: "We use AGE. Accept what someone is saying and be genuine yourself. Sometimes you don't know what to say, so say: 'that’s really difficult and I don’t know what to say right now'. If you can show empathy and caring, you can give that person some hope."
Living Words Founder-Director Susanna Howard developed the organisation’s now CPD-accredited Listen Out Loud creative practice to help people experiencing dementias, mental ill health and terminal illness. The approach empowers new conversations to take place between those experiencing isolating conditions and their loved ones.
Living Warrior India encourages people to overcome the stigma surrounding suicide and to not be afraid to explain how you are feeling to others
The importance of conversation in recovery is also underlined in the film by India, who had to overcome the stigma of grief and death and reconnect following the loss of her baby Toby.
Introducing us to her two-year-old son Oscar, India says: "It’s such a taboo subject…mental health is anyway, but especially child loss…No one really knows what to say."
India and TJ agree that 'the worst thing to do is just ignore it' before India adds: "People have said to me 'I don’t know what to say' and I just go 'that’s absolutely fine'. Even if you are just there to listen for a minute."
Some of the final words of the film belong to TJ’s son, who has also struggled with his mental health. "I'm proud that she stood up; proud that she shared her story. I think it is very important to talk about suicide, life problems," he says, before going on to reflect on his own experience. "Me and my mum have had many conversations and my mum's helped me through some dark spaces, understood me and never judged. I'm just a little bit lost. And that listening there can, I strongly believe...save a life."
- Watch the latest Living Warriors film – www.livingwarriorsfilms.com
- Listening Out Loud – Living Words’ approach to empower new conversations
- Find out more about Mind training
Funded by NHS Kent and Medway and run by Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council, the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Team leads on the local suicide prevention strategy.
“When we hit severe low points in our lives, it can be difficult to reach out and we often struggle to share our feelings with family and friends, but we are never alone”
NHS Kent and Medway’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kate Langford, said: "As the Living Warriors film highlights, talking about feelings and listening to others is crucial to emotional wellbeing.
"When we hit severe low points in our lives, it can be difficult to reach out and we often struggle to share our feelings with family and friends, but we are never alone.
"If you need help, there is support available, including through the Release the Pressure phone and text service and Safe Havens – run by Mental Health Matters to help both before you reach crisis point and if you do find yourself there."
Read more Kent and Medway health leaders' statements
- Live in Kent or Medway and finding life is tough? Talking can help. Release the Pressure also has a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through. Don’t suffer in silence: text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160
- For details of all services available to support you, including Safe Havens, visit the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub
- People of all ages, including children, experiencing a mental health crisis or concerned family and loved ones, can also now call NHS 111, select the ‘mental health option’ and speak to a trained mental health professional. NHS staff can guide callers with next steps such organising face-to-face community support or getting access to other services
- In an emergency, when someone’s life is at risk, always call 999
