Key Essex buildings and landmarks are to be lit up in September, in an aim to encourage people to talk about preventing suicide.

From September 9-13, organisations, people and communities across Essex and Hertfordshire are lighting up buildings and landmarks green, as part of the 'Creating hope through light' event for World Suicide Prevention Day 2024.

The 'Creating hope through light' week-long event, hopes to raise awareness of suicide prevention and challenge Essex residents to take the free suicide prevention training, which can be accessed on the Lets Talk About Suicide Website.

It's a joint initiative from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System and Thurrock and Brentwood Mind as part of their #LetsTalkAboutSuicide campaign.  It's aimed at reducing the stigma around talking about suicide and encourages people to take the free online suicide prevention training, as well as highlight the other mental health resources available in Essex.

Over 6,000 people died by suicide in 2021. In 2022, the South East Region saw one of lowest suicide rates in England and Wales, and just below the average of 10.4 deaths per 100,000 people.

Essex's #TalkSuicide campaign aims to prevent deaths by reducing the stigma around talking about suicide, and raise awareness of suicide prevention training.

Alfred Bandakpara-Taylor, Deputy Director of Mental Health at NHS mid and south Essex ICB, said: "Seeking support when we are feeling low and/or anxious can be difficult, but the earlier individuals reach out for support the better. 

"We want people from across mid and south Essex to encourage their friends, family, work colleagues, their communities, and the organisations they work for to become a part of our 'Creating hope through light' event this September to help prevent and reduce suicides. "Whether it is lighting a building green, talking to other people about preventing suicide or taking the training - you may help save someone's life."



The Basildon Road Sign lit up green. (Photo: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust)

So far, the following places will be lit up green include:

•        Thurrock and Brentwood Mind

•        South East Essex and Central Mind

•        Mid and North East Essex Mind

•        Basildon Hospital

•        Southend Hospital

•        Broomfield Hospital

•        Bennett Funeral Home - Brentwood

•        Bennett Funeral Home - Billericay

•        County Hall Chelmsford

•        Harlow Civic Centre

•        Southend City Beach

•        Civic Centre, Southend

•        Riverside Leisure Centre, Chelmsford

•        Health watch Thurrock

The list continues to grow, and the most up to date roadmap can be found here.