Suicide prevention and veterans with Andy Schofield

A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners. Presenting Season 5, Episode 1 of the #MeettheMancunian #podcast #mancunian #manchester #mentalhealth #veterans #suicideprevention #community #socialimpact #nonprofit Hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe (https://www.instagram.com/meetthemancunian/).

In the season premiere episode, the Meet the Mancunian podcast talks to Andy Schofield [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-schofield-3ba205a3/]about creating awareness for mental health and veterans in support of veterans charity Walking with the Wounded [https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/]. Andy walked 350 kilometres from London to Manchester with a heavy backpack on his back in 5 days in one of the coldest months of the year to raise awareness. To show that going through a mental health journey is physically and mentally demanding – Andy's walk was like doing an ultramarathon every day for 5 days carrying your own kit and equipment.

Andy shares his own lived experience with mental health and suicide prevention through deep conversations with friends and family. Andy shares that 6,000 men across England and Wales take their own lives every year and is trying to break down the stigma associated with mental health and show it's not a weakness to be vulnerable.  He suggests asking people you know a few times how they are actually doing can encourage open conversations.

Did you know: World Suicide Prevention Day [https://mentalhealth-uk.org/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-days/world-suicide-prevention-day/]is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. The theme in 2023 is 'creating hope through action'. Please consider reflecting on how you can support someone in your life who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or is at risk of suicide. Reaching out to friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours and having a deep conversation over a warm brew can save someone's life and help them at their lowest point. Who will you reach out to this week? Check out the resources if you need some help.

Key resources:

Papyrus [https://www.papyrus-uk.org/]

Samaritan [https://www.samaritans.org/]

Mentell [https://www.mentell.org.uk/]

Talk about it Mate [https://www.talkaboutitmate.co.uk/]

Mental Health UK [https://mentalhealth-uk.org/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-days/world-suicide-prevention-day/]

Zero Suicide Alliance [https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/ZSA-resource-library]

Meet the Mancunian podcast episodes on mental health [https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/category/mental-health/]

Meet the Mancunian podcast episodes on suicide prevention [https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/category/suicide-prevention/]

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:

00:03:03 discussing his mental health journey

00:10:32 introducing Walking with the Wounded

00:14:32 talking about preparing for the challenge

00:17:43 sharing the impact and awareness

00:22:13 advice to start a similar movement

00:26:21 sharing an important life lesson

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk [http://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/]