Preventing Suicide: A Conversation

On average, 12 men take their lives in the UK everyday. This rate is three times higher than it is for women and middle-aged men (aged 45–49) are the age group most at risk.

In this 60 minute workplace suicide workshop, we share the story of 39 year old James Burwood, who took his own life in November 2019. In this talk, James’ friend, Andy (a life coach) interviews James’ brother, Will (a professional in the construction industry).

Will shares the events leading up to James’ death, his own immediate reaction and subsequent coping mechanisms. In discussion with Andy, Will also reflects on the possible factors that led to James wanting to take his own life.

Both passionate about sharing James’ story in a bid to prevent further tragedies, together the duo discuss:

• How suicide affects the family and friends
• Different approaches to coping with the aftermath 
• Why suicide is more common amongst men than women 
• What can be done to support men’s mental health
• How to open up conversations about suicide. 

Key outcomes:

• Encouraging people to open up about their mental health 
• Reducing the stigma around talking about suicide
• Signposting people to mental health support

About

Andy Hix has been supporting people to open up and talk about their mental health for over 10 years through coaching and group work. He has worked with men to develop their resilience through divorce, to embrace rather than reject their emotions, to let go of the anger and aggression they had been expressing towards their partners and to develop greater self-compassion and communication skills.

During the covid lockdowns of 2020, He set up his own men’s group as a way to explore his relationship with masculinity and deepen his ability to be vulnerable and open with other men.

Will is a Steel Erector with a passion for encouraging people to open up about mental health and making something positive out of his family’s tragedy.

What customers say...

Thank you very much, it was a great session & a real privilege to be able to run a talk on such a sensitive and taboo subject in order to drive greater awareness. I liked the dynamic between Andy and Will, which worked really well. 

I have never received so many questions from the audience.I loved how the conversation moved from sharing James story to practical advice. 

Michaela, Amazon