First ever Birmingham Suicide Prevention Week launches with library exhibition
Birmingham’s inaugural Suicide Prevention Week has launched with an exhibition at the Library of Birmingham honouring those lost to suicide while also encouraging open conversations about the topic.
The It takes a city: honouring loss with open conversations about suicide exhibition in the library’s Wellbeing Zone was officially launched on Monday, 8th September, at an event attended by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care Councillor Mariam Khan, and Birmingham’s Director of Public Health, Sally Burns. Also in attendance were representatives from Cruse Bereavement Support, Child Bereavement UK, and Birmingham Children’s Trust.
Councillor Mariam Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at Birmingham City Council, said: “We’re committed to building a Birmingham where hope is stronger than despair, and where every person is met with openness, compassion, and hope during their most challenging moments. As we continue to honour the residents we’ve lost to suicide and grieve with their loved ones, we’re reminded that suicide is not just one person’s business, it’s Birmingham’s business.”
Suicide Prevention Week is part of a larger citywide campaign focusing on the theme of suicide being the elephant in the room - it can affect anyone, regardless of background or life experiences, and can devastate entire families and communities, and yet not enough people are talking about it, when these conversations can help save lives. Other events taking place during Suicide Prevention Week include an online suicide awareness training session, a five-a-side football tournament organised in conjunction with the Aston Villa Foundation, and a cycling event across the city, all of which are already fully subscribed.
The exhibition is open through to Friday 12th September at the Library of Birmingham’s Wellbeing Zone and invites visitors to honour Birmingham residents who have died by suicide, reflect on their loved ones’ experiences of loss and bereavement, and learn how to have open, compassionate conversations about suicide.
Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to share their experience on social media, tagging @BCCHealthyBrum on Instagram and @HealthyBrum on X and Facebook and using the hashtag #MakingSuicideBirminghamsBusiness so that their posts can be seen and shared by Birmingham Public Health.
For more information about the campaign and advice on how to have open, compassionate conversations about suicide, visit birmingham.gov.uk/suicideprevention.
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