Essex charity Reach Out For Mental Health calls for greater understanding of suicidal crisis this Mental Health Awareness Week

Chelmsford-based, Essex-wide mental health charity, Reach Out For Mental Health was set up a decade ago and has been offering specialist support to people with suicidal thoughts for the past eight years. This Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May) the charity is calling for greater understanding and awareness of the struggles people face when coping with poor mental health and suicidal thoughts.

According to recent data from NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), Essex suicide rates are currently higher than national and regional averages in the UK and have been increasing over the past two decades, with the highest rates found in the more disadvantaged areas of the county. The report also notes that men in Essex are three times more likely to die from suicide than women.

Reach Out For Mental Health has been supporting adults across Essex for the past eight years with free counselling, coffee groups and telephone befriending services as well as Port in a Storm – their crisis service, based in Harwich. The charity was founded by Kirsty Eaton after losing a colleague to suicide and noticing that there was not enough support for people struggling with their mental health, but not yet in crisis.

Aston spoke to Kirsty Eaton, founder of Reach Out For Mental Health.