“BBC documentary: your stories”

A BBC One documentary about suicide and attempted suicide is being produced in conjunction with Comic Relief and will transmit next March – kicking off their Mental Health Season which will have full website and phone line support.

They are currently in the early stages of research for the film and have asked us, and other organisations, if our members can help. We all hope that it will be a very positive programme in helping to de-stigmatise suicide and attempted suicide and to get the subject talked about more openly.

The BBC has asked us to distribute the following message:

“It is an astonishing but sad truth that thousands of people try to take their own lives every week of the year in the UK. But despite those incredible numbers the subject is still shrouded in stigma and secrecy.

We would like to talk to anyone who has attempted to take their own life and who would be prepared to talk about the circumstances which led up to their attempt and what has happened to them since.

In particular – but not exclusively – we would like to hear from people who, despite having reached the depths of despair, are trying to turn their lives around with the support of various projects.

In addition to these testimonies we would also like to speak to people who have lost someone dear to them through suicide after a period of severe depression or despair.”

If you feel your story could help others, please contact, as soon as possible, either Jonathan at Stand to Reason on jonathan@standtoreason.org.uk

Or Jen Fazey at the BBC on 0117 9746833 or email jennifer.fazey@bbc.co.uk

Thank you.