The dad of a teenage girl who heartbreakingly took her own life after struggling to deal with Covid lockdowns has a strong message for school children - "you are not alone". Mike Palmer lost his beloved daughter Beth, 17, to suicide in March 2020.
Mike, a firefighter from Sale, has since refused to let his talented daughter's loss be in vain, joining forces with two other dads from Greater Manchester who lost their daughters to suicide, Tim and Andy, to raise awareness of the biggest killer of under 35s in the UK. Beth, who had been studying to become a vocal artist, died just days after the coronavirus lockdowns were announced which Mike had 'no doubt' played a 'major part' in her death.
He has since been campaigning with the charity PAPYRUS, a group dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Mike last week (July 15) joined around 1,000 students from Middleton Technology School in a 10k walk up Tandle Hill to raise money for the charity and to raise awareness around young people's mental health, especially those affected by the pandemic, returning to school with restrictions and added exam pressures.
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"Why we’re here today is to raise the awareness within these young people that they are not alone, they can reach out, and there is always hope," Mike told the Manchester Evening News in a strong message to the youth with him on the day and all others out there. "It’s fantastic to know that these students are thinking about mental health and wellbeing and helping to spread the word that young people who are struggling with life are not alone.
"It was incredibly powerful today, I lost my daughter Beth, she was only 17 to suicide, the other two dads also lost their daughters which were all completely different stories but still the same tragic end. Teenagers are particularly hard to reach and just to see them and walk with them was a very positive experience which gives me hope for the future."
The school is well on its way to smashing its fundraising target of £5,000. PAPYRUS said the money raised from this 10k walk could save many lives.
Adam Smith, Deputy Head at Middleton Technology School said: “We chose the charity PAPYRUS as students are returning to a sense of normality post the COVID 19 pandemic. It’s important that we support the improvement of mental health and reduce suicide amongst our communities and this charity helps us to improve the awareness of emotional wellbeing among our student cohort.
“The 10k walk will help students to feel they have contributed physically and emotionally to a really worthwhile cause which is making an impact in young people’s lives across the county."
The '3 Dads Walking' group regularly do long walks to raise money and awareness for PAPYRUS. This has included walks of more than 300 miles from Cumbria to their homes in Greater Manchester.
Ged Flynn, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the students at Middleton Technology School and all those who have supported their fundraising walk which will help us to continue giving hope to young people who are struggling with life. Generous donations will help to pay for potentially life-saving calls, texts and emails to our confidential HOPELINEUK service, which offers support and advice to young people and anyone who is worried about a young person who may be having thoughts of suicide.
"Funding also helps PAPYRUS to engage with local communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects and supports the training we deliver to individuals and groups, equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour. We believe that many young suicides are preventable and together we can all help to keep our communities suicide-safe.”
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
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