Photos: Baton of Hope passes from Bramley and highlights mental health support

By Helen Fay

The Baton of Hope began its Leeds leg across the city from its starting point in Bramley. The launch event was held in the courtyard of BARCA Leeds in Upper Town Street. 

Representatives from BARCA, Touchstone and Leeds Mind were present alongside local councillors, baton bearers and supporters. 

The Baton of Hope Leeds event launched on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September). The Baton acts as a symbol of hope, a remembrance to those lost through suicide and also a beacon to highlight awareness and encourage openness in talking about mental health and asking for help. 

The event was kicked off by the Being You Leeds Men’s songwriting group who sang three original compositions including a song written especially for the launch – ‘Here I’m  Staying’. A free download can be found here.

The group also performed at the finale at the Old Fire Station, Gipton, in the evening.

There then followed an introduction from Joe Kent, business development manager at BARCA Leeds.

Joe introduced Jennie Willetts from Bramley Baths, who led an energetic warm up session for walkers and supporters alike.

All joined in enthusiastically and this greatly contributed to the warm natured and supportive atmosphere. 

Sir John Battle, former Leeds West MP and trustee of BARCA, recited a piece of self- penned poetry, as did Rick Bach, who attends various men’s groups in West Leeds. 

The next speaker was Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health for Leeds City Council. The Leeds Suicide Prevention plan, which was initiated by Victoria and her team, has been nationally recognised as good practice. 

Ms Eaton said “It’s incredible that we’re starting the Baton in West Leeds, because there are so many people here this morning, part of BARCA and other organisations, local councillors and local community members who have been working on this really important agenda for decades.

“As a city, we’re really proud of the work that we all do together to tackle the root causes of poor mental health. Preventing needless deaths by suicide is one part of that work.” 

Councillor Adele Rae (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) delivered a moving speech about first hand experience of bereavement by suicide. Cllr Rae said “We carry this baton today, not just in memory, but in grief, in love and in hope. 

“Every week, more than a hundred people take their own lives and behind that number there is a family shattered, a future lost and a community grieving.

“We need to stop treating suicide like a taboo and start treating it like the public emergency that it is. We all have a role to play making sure that no one feels so alone that death feels like the only option. To those who are struggling, please hold on, reach out, you are not broken, you are not a burden, you are loved and you are needed.” 

Cllr Rae then passed the Baton to the first baton bearer who set off down Bramley Town Street alongside other walkers and supporters to the applause of bystanders and those remaining at the starting point.

The Baton had been successfully launched on its journey across Leeds in memory of those lost through suicide, to raise awareness and promote help-seeking. 

• More details on mental health services in Leeds can be found here.

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