Young people in Plymouth have come together to create a new resource designed to help their peers open up about mental health and suicide, marking this year’s World Mental Health Day with an important message of hope and support.
The project, supported by the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership (PSCP), the Public Health team, and youth workers from Plymouth City Council, has resulted in the creation of a new booklet titled ‘Subject of Suicide’ (SOS).
The SOS booklet aims to give secondary-school-aged young people the tools to start conversations about mental health and access help when needed. It includes myth-busting facts, distraction techniques, and a list of organisations that provide professional support, alongside a pull-out wellbeing plan to help build emotional resilience.
Importantly, the guide also offers practical advice on how to support friends who may be struggling, empowering young people to approach difficult conversations with confidence and compassion.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Public Health at Plymouth City Council, praised the young people for tackling such a challenging subject head-on.
“This is a very sensitive topic, but it’s vitally important that we work alongside young people in the city to address mental health challenges and suicide prevention,” she said.
“One young person taking their life is one too many, and this work aims to break down barriers and provide ideas that can help. The response from young people engaging with this work has been positive and has enabled them to share important messages in their own words, which we hope will resonate with their peers and help to encourage open conversations around suicide and mental health across the city.”
Feedback from those involved in creating the booklet has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants saying the project gave them the chance to learn how to support friends and explore new ways to manage emotional wellbeing.
The SOS booklet will be distributed to young people at events across Plymouth in the coming weeks and will also be made available to download from the PSCP website.
The initiative forms part of Plymouth’s wider commitment to supporting youth mental health and suicide prevention, in line with local and national strategies focused on early intervention, awareness, and community resilience.
For anyone in Plymouth experiencing a mental health crisis, there is a 24/7 First Response Service available. Residents can call 111 and select the mental health option for immediate support.
More information about emotional wellbeing and mental health support for young people can also be found on the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
