Suicide prevention: a conversation
Every year, on 10 September, people and organisations around the world come together to raise awareness about suicide prevention. For this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, mindfulness coach Andy Hix spoke to Will Burwood about his brother’s suicide: why it happened and how to prevent future tragedies.
On average, 12 men take their lives in the UK every day. This rate is three times higher than it is for women and middle-aged men (aged 45–49) are the age group most at risk. Suicide is the most common way in the UK for anyone under 50 to die.
In this 60-minute workshop, Andy and Will shared the story of 39 year old James Burwood, who took his own life in November 2019. James’ friend, Andy interviews James’ brother, Will (a professional in the construction industry).
Will shares the events leading up to James’ death, his own immediate reaction and subsequent coping mechanisms. In discussion with Andy, Will also reflects on the possible factors that led to James wanting to take his own life.
Both passionate about sharing James’ story in a bid to prevent further tragedies, together the duo also discuss:
- How suicide affects the family and friends
- Different approaches to coping with the aftermath
- Why suicide is more common amongst men than women
- What can be done to support men’s mental health
- How to open up conversations about suicide.
Click here to view the slides shared during the workshop.
Watch now
Trigger Warning
Please be advised that this event will include discussions about suicide, including personal experiences of loss and the impact of suicide on loved ones. The content may be distressing or triggering for some individuals. We encourage you to take care of your mental and emotional well-being and consider whether this event is right for you at this time. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional, a trusted individual or contact the Samaritans.
