A Northumberland mum who tragically lost her daughter to suicide has bravely opened up about how she could have been saved with the right help.
Jayne Walsham's daughter Jodie took her own life just two weeks before her 24th birthday in January 2021 after a battle with her mental health. Now Jayne, 60, is set to pay tribute to her daughter when she carries 'The Baton of Hope' at a huge suicide prevention event in the North East.
The Baton, which is a symbol of hope for those affected by suicide, is touring across the UK visiting 12 cities in 12 days. It will reach Newcastle on Tuesday, June 27, and will stop off at Grey’s Monument, the Royal Victoria Infirmary, St James’ Park and Millfield House.
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Jayne, who runs a bed and breakfast business in Humshaugh with her husband Don, has helped to organise the North East leg of the tour. It will see the baton being carried by a team of volunteers from North Shields to the city.
“I am very much about saving people from being bereaved by suicide because 70% of suicides are preventable if people get the right help when they need it," she said. "Jodi certainly could have been saved with the right help."
Jodi had Autism Spectrum Disorder and battled undiagnosed ADHD as well as anxiety but struggled to receive the support she needed. Her mental health sadly declined when two job offers she received were withdrawn as a result of the pandemic.
Jayne, who will also carry the Baton, added: “I believe everyone needs to unite and support suicide prevention to really make a difference. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in this country and we need to start talking about it.
"We are losing too much potential and promise and it’s my mission to break the stigma. The Baton of Hope will help to bring both change and awareness and I am proud to be leading the tour in Newcastle.”
The North East leg of the tour will start in North Shields at 8am on Tuesday and travel to Spanish City in Whitley Bay where it will be met by Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) and David Malone’s Male Voice Choir will perform the Baton of Hope anthem.
A trio of supercars will then take the Baton to the Blue Flame Sports Ground in Newcastle. The Baton will then be taken to Jesmond Dene's Millfield House and onto The Ouseburn for a small music festival. The Rock Choir will perform at the Millennium Bridge area of Gateshead.
From here, the Baton will go to Grey’s Monument, welcomed by ReCoCo, a mental health support service where people can learn from each other’s lived experiences. Local charities, MPs and the Mayor will be present at Newcastle University for talks about the work being done by these charities before the Baton reaches the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
The RVI Choir will perform once the baton arrives and at 6pm, the Baton will reach its final destination, St James’ Park, where the doors will be open to the public for a free event with speakers and entertainers.
Full details of the route can be found at https://batonofhopeuk.org/the-tour/newcastle-route/.
When life is difficult, the Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
