Seaside walk from Hunstanton Pier aims to shatter suicide stigma

A Lynn woman is supporting a national charity dedicated to preventing young suicides by organising a West Norfolk #HOPEWalk.

Cherrelle Blake is aiming to raise awareness and money for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide with a walk from Hunstanton Pier on October 20, from 10am.

After hosting a successful #HOPEWalk last year, Ms Blake wants to continue to shatter the stigma surrounding suicide.

She said: “This is the second year I have organised this amazing event so let’s get the word out and make it bigger and better than last year.

“I would love to get lots of people I don’t know involved to raise awareness and money as there are so many different people I would love to meet.

“These include people who are currently suffering, people who have or know someone who has experienced a loss, and people who have loved ones that suffer with mental illness.”

According to the Office of National Statistics’ latest data on suicides in the UK, around three-quarters of all 2016 suicides in our country were men.

They found 40 and 44-year-olds had the highest age-specific rating at 15.3 per cent per 100,000, and this age group also had the highest rating among men, with 24.1 per cent.

The age group with the highest rating for women was 50 to 54-years-old, with 8.3 per cent per 100,000 people.

Ms Blake added: “I experienced a very close loss 10 years ago with no warning or understanding why.

“I have someone very close to me who attempted suicide 10 years ago, prior to me knowing them.

“I have since learned a lot about mental health and suicidal thoughts.

“#HOPEWalk is an annual event supporting PAPYRUS, the national charity dedicated to supporting the prevention of young suicides.

“Please join us in this event and spreading our message far and wide, letting young people in the local area know that there is support available.

“We need to help shatter the stigma around suicide and mental health.”

To find out more or to register your interest, search ‘HOPEWalk 2018 - Norfolk Coastal Path on Facebook.