‘START’ a leading mental health charity in Salford are delivering ‘Bags for Life’ which sees reusable shopping bags with suicide prevention messaging being distributed through to social housing tenants across Salford.
‘START’, through its multi award winning ‘Reach Out; Start to End Suicide’ campaign is delivering ‘Bags for Life’, which are exactly that. In 2020 they delivered ‘Bags for Life’, which saw reusable suicide prevention messaged shopping bags distributed through foodbanks across Salford. They are now distributing these ‘Bags for Life’ through housing associations in Salford, ensuring access to tenants who are at a high risk of suicide.
The demands on our communities, especially those living in social housing, with 46% of them being at risk of poverty (Moody’s, 2020) were on the rise even before the pandemic. With static wages and surging tax, food and energy bills causing a cost of living crisis across the country. The Institute of Fiscal Studies has claimed benefits need to be twice as much as planned in 2022 in order to support the poorest in society through the crisis.
The ‘Bags for Life’ are delivering live saving messages through to people who find themselves or their loved ones in incredibly difficult and challenging situations which have a massive impact on their mental health. One side of the bag is directed towards those that are experiencing suicidal thoughts, letting them know that help and support is available. The other side is towards those that are worried about a loved one, and how they can ask if they are having thoughts of suicide. These walking billboards are sending messages out to the mother on the bus worried about her teen daughter who is ever increasingly isolating herself or the construction working in his van worrying about where this month’s rent is coming from. The bags are letting them know they can and should reach out for support if they need it or if they notice the need in their loved ones.
These ‘Bags for Life’ are providing suicide prevention advocates within the community, the recipients will use these bags again and again, and they will become a walking suicide prevention message board within their communities. They will carry them to the grocery store, to work, and in the process, dozens, if not hundreds of people will see them, noticing the suicide prevention messages on the reusable bags. They will promote conversations within their own homes and their communities, normalising conversations about suicide. The recipients learn that help is available and they can ask for help at any time.
Salford City Mayor and Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor, Paul Dennett praised the initiative and said: “The last couple of years have been tough and have tested everyone’s mental health. It’s vital that we continue to raise awareness that it’s okay not to be okay and are not afraid to talk about mental health and suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy for all of us.”
“Whatever problem people are facing there are people who care and want to help. If people are struggling to afford food, gas and electricity or need essential items the council’s Salford Assist team has extra funding under the Household Support Fund and people don’t need to be on benefits to qualify. If it’s health or mental health then please speak to your GP, talk to your friends and family or search online for mental health help in Salford. Just starting that conversation, reaching out for help can be the first step on the road to recovery and healing and I hope these bags help get that going.”
Dennis Baldwin, Reach Out Start to End Suicide Project Manager said “As all of us, especially those of us living in social housing, need to prepare for the onslaught of inflation and the massive price rise hikes in energy prices. Many of us will already be on the brink of living in poverty, which has a monumental impact on our mental health. We need to be vigilant now more than ever, of our own mental health and the mental health of our loved ones. These bags out in our communities are promoting that suicide isn’t the only option.”
The ‘Bags for Life’ are inspiring much need conversations about suicide and diminishing the stigma that stops us from reaching out for ourselves when we need it and to others when we notice the need in them. You can ask for help and support if you do need it, and if you are worried about a loved one, you can ask if they are thinking about killing themselves and need support. You are never alone. Speak up, reach out, help and support is just a phone call away.”
‘Starts’ ‘Reach Out; Start to End Suicide’ campaign is funded by Salford CCG.
