The Hopewalk, being held as part of Papyrus' national Hopewalk campaign, will also lift the lid on suicide to get people talking about it in order to #smashthestigma.
The Hopewalk takes place on Tuesday (22 October) from 12.30pm to 1.50pm, beginning from St Peter's Square outside the Civic Centre and following a circular 2 and a half mile route around the city centre. People can walk the whole way, or join part way along.
Walkers will be carrying leaflets about the help and support available in Wolverhampton to give out to members of the public, and visiting the premises of some of the Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum members to raise awareness of the help and support they provide. They will also deliver resources to pass on to local people who use their services.
Some walkers will be carrying collecting tins to give members of the public the opportunity to make a donation to the Mayor of Wolverhampton's Charitable Fund, as Mayor Councillor Claire Darke has nominated suicide prevention work as one of the Mayoral Charities this year.
For more information and to sign up, please visit Hopewalk.
Mayor Councillor Darke, who will be hosting a reception at the end of the walk, said: "The Hopewalk will showcase the good work being done by organisations and individuals across Wolverhampton to support people at their greatest time of need.”
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, added: "The council and its partners are committed to tackling stigma around mental health and suicide, and to highlight the help and support which is available to people who are going through a troubling period in their lives.
“The message is clear; if you or someone you know is in a dark place, don’t suffer in silence – help and support is out there.”
People who experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide are encouraged to contact:
- The Papyrus Hopeline, phone 0800 068 4141, text 0788 620 9697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
- Samaritans Wolverhampton, call 116 123 free from any phone, 24 hours per day 365 days of the year, or visit its office at 54 Newhampton Road West, log on to Samaritans or email jo@samaritans.org.
Both provide a confidential listening service and will help with any overwhelming thoughts or feelings, or ones that make life feel like it’s not worth living.
