Greater Manchester’s Month of Hope returns, running from World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September) to World Mental Health Day (10th October).
This year’s theme, changing the narrative on suicide, is about encouraging open conversations, challenging stigma, and inspiring hope across our communities.
Mental health support
It’s not always easy to know what to say or do when someone you care about is finding things tough. You’re not alone, and there’s help and advice available to support you.
Both in person and online training courses for free mental health training.
There are a wide range of mental health training programmes designed to support individuals and organisations. Topics include mental wellbeing, how to have a supportive conversation about mental health, suicide awareness and prevention, and trauma and resilience.
Available anytime, 30 minute online course.
A short, free online course open to anyone over the age of 16. This will help you learn how to recognise suicide risk factors and warning signs, engage in supportive conversations, signpost individuals to appropriate services, and understand real life experiences.
Monday 6th October, 4pm to 5pm, Tuesday 7th October, 3:30pm to 4:30pm and Thursday 9th October, 10am to 11am, online.
Open to everyone in the community.
Useful contacts
- Mental health urgent help - If you need to talk to someone urgently about your mental health, or are concerned about a loved one, call NHS 111 and select option 2 to be placed in direct contact with a mental health professional in your area
- Crisis Harbours (external link) are welcoming spaces designed to support people experiencing mental health distress, suicidal thoughts or if someone just needs a safe space to chat. Run by EPiC HOPE, there are sites in Wigan town centre and Atherton, and are available to anyone aged 16 and over
- Samaritans (external link) - Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you want to talk to someone in confidence, call them free on 116 123
- Papyrus (external link) - Are you, or is a young person you know not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact 0800 0684141 or TEXT 88247. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Book an emergency appointment with your doctor
- Shining a light on suicide (external link) - A Greater Manchester campaign to bring suicide our of the dark because it affects us all. Whether you’re feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, they have helpful advice and support available
- A Wigan Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) group is now up and running and meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm. For more information email Wigan SOBS or call 07943934411. A group in Bolton is also open and runs on the third Thursday of every month at 7pm. For more information email Bolton SOBS or call 07961 268241
- Greater Manchester Bereavement Service (external link) - A confidential information service for people bereaved or affected by suicide.