Wednesday 09-09-2020 - 15:35

Hey guys, 

 

TW: In this blog post we’re going to be talking about poor mental health and suicide. If you are triggered by these topics please do not read any further. Contact the University Wellbeing team if you need help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In times such as these it is of massive importance that we look after ourselves and each other.

 

Sometimes you will see a person that seems to be doing well on the outside, but behind the scenes any number of things can be going on.

 

Unfortunately, I know this all too well. I have had family members and close friends either attempt or succeed in committing suicide over the years. It is worth remembering this can happen to anyone.

 

In the UK in 2018, there were 6,507 deaths by suicide (a rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people). Rates vary across the UK, with the highest rate in 2018 observed in Northern Ireland (18.6 deaths per 100,000), followed by Scotland (16.1 deaths per 100,000 people), then Wales (12.8 deaths per 100,000 people) and England (10.3 deaths per 100,000 people).

 

While no two people’s struggles are the same, all suicides should be preventable.

 

Whether it’s providing people with comfort, or allowing them the safe space to open up to those around them and explain what was going on, intervention is essential.

 

Poor mental health is also a particularly prevalent issue for men. Overall, men accounted for three-quarters of UK deaths by suicide in 2018. And this is not a new issue. In 2013, 6,233 suicides were recorded in the UK for people aged 15 and older. Of these, 78% were male. 

 

It took me many years to come to terms with my own mental health and it took many more years on top of that to admit to myself that I needed help.

 

Without a doubt that single biggest thing that stopped me from seeking help and accessing services that I desperately needed for my anxiety and my depression was the notion that somehow, as a male, I had failed and needed to ‘Man Up.’

 

I now know that there is no shame whatsoever in talking to people and those around me about what I’m feeling or the issues that I’m facing.

 

 

Togetherall – Available to all Edge Hill Students

 

In terms of online resources that you can access if you feel like talking to someone or just being able to vent, TogetherAll is worth a look.

 

TogetherAll operates as an anonymous community where members can support each other. The service operates on a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year basis.

 

It is perfect for when you need to talk to someone, especially if you’re access about face-to-face services or you want to stay in your room.

 

The service has trained professionals available 24/7 to keep the community safe. Self-assessments and recommended resources are also available should you need them.

 

Creative tools to help express how you’re feeling are also featured within this service and it has a wide range of self-guided courses to do at your own pace.  

 

To use Togetherall all you have to do is sign up with your university email and create a username (in this regard, it is advised that you do not use your real name). Once in, you can begin using the app/website. And the best thing about Togetherall is that it is completely free! 

 

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you can check out the website here. 

 

 

 

So be there for yourself and each other. Remember, no matter what happens, you are not alone. 

 

You got this, you always have done. 

 

 

 

University Departments and Resources

Student Services

• Visit: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentservices/

 

Edge Hill University Wellbeing Team

• Visit: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentservices/wellbeing/
• Email studentwellbeing@edgehill.ac.uk

 

Edge Hill Students’ Union Advice Centre (if your mental health is affecting your studies)

• Visit: https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/advice
• Email suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk

 

Exterior Helplines and Resources: 

 

Samaritans – For everyone 

• Call 116 123 
• Email jo@samaritans.org 

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Specifically for men 

• Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day 
• Visit the webchat page 

 

Papyrus – For people under 35 

• Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm. Weekends and bank holidays 2pm to 10pm 
• Text 07860 039967 
• Email pat@papyrus-uk.org 

 

Childline – for children and young people under 19 

• Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill