The Anthony Seddon Fund are inviting people to attend a candlelit vigil on September 10 for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Meeting at Locks of Love on Market Street in Ashton, the vigil starts at 7.30pm.  

They’ll be a guest speaker at the event and a 2-minute silence to remember loved ones lost to suicide and show solidarity for survivors of suicide.  

Nez Kelly, activity lead at the fund, added: “World Suicide Prevention Day is about creating hope through action so by doing this we’re hoping to bring conversations to light and start breaking down barriers. 

“There’s so much stigma around suicide, the language that is used definitely needs to change. We still hear about people committing suicide, that’s not a narrative that we would use. We would say people have died by suicide, because it’s not a crime. 

“People can forget that words effect how people feel about a subject, so it's about helping others get a better understanding and empathy toward mental health.  

“Even though it’s more talked about now, it’s still not normalised and sadly, most of the time, it’s only talked about when somebody makes an attempt or loses their life.” 

Volunteers, staff and customers make up a drama group at the Fund and will also be screening two short plays on the day. The first focuses on serious mental health illness and suicide and the second looks at the experience of carers.  

They’ll be made live to watch on The Anthony Seddon Fund’s website following the event.  

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