13/07/2023
7days ago I gave the talk of my life, speaking for those who are often forgotten and people with disabilities
It is Disability Pride Month, not that you'd be overly aware of this if you aren't personally impacted by disability, so it was important to me that I spoke about su***de amongst those with a disability or long term health condition, at one of the UKs largest su***de prevention initiatives Baton Of Hope UK
Individuals with a disability and long term health conditions, aren't the only demographics classed as being at a "higher risk", therefore it's essential for the wider su***de prevention conversation, to be fully inclusive of every demographic impacted by su***de and is as accessible as possible.
I cant speak about other demographics, though I am giving them an opportunity to tell their stories, but over 60% of those with a disability are experiencing severe loneliness, rising to 75% for those aged 16-21, and 80% will experience bouts of depression.
As a 46yr old male who battles with loneliness, in addition to how difficult day to day life is in this country as a disabled person, there is no help available to me for my suicidal thoughts, until I go into crisis.
Even without the disabilities, there's nowhere I can go to be around others who are experiencing similar things to me and to get some support.
I sit between, being too extreme for general peer support groups and not needing the emergency listening services for those in crisis 🤷♂️
This is an area which MUST change and I'll be doing all I can to encourage communities, to begin delivering community support for those living with dark thoughts or following an attempt, as part of, preventative and postvention measures.
It is possible to survive the darkness and there is hope, we could just really do with the right support, at a community level 💚
