Surviving Suicide - A Moving Documentary For Sport Relief, BBC

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Depression;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 22 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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For this year's Sport Relief, the BBC and Comic Relief bring viewers Surviving Suicide, a sensitive and moving documentary for BBC One which explores the issues affecting those whose lives have been touched by suicide.

Every year nearly 6,000 people in the UK take their own lives. The film features stories from everyday people; people who have attempted suicide and people who have been bereaved. Importantly the film shows how people can embark on a journey of recovery.

One contributor is Neil "Twink" Tinning, who was the official photographer for The Jam at the height of their popularity. Twink has tried to kill himself four times in the last 12 years and says: "Sometimes when you are in that phase, suicide seems the only logical step."

The documentary also features commentary from celebrities Trisha Goddard and Melinda Messenger.

Melinda felt suicidal as a result of severe post-natal depression but has now recovered thanks to support from the medical profession and her family.

Trisha has had first hand experiences of suicide and mental health problems in the family. Trisha said: "You get to a situation where you just want peace. It's a struggle to come back but you can do it."

The documentary is part of an ongoing effort by Comic Relief to reduce stigma and negative attitudes towards mental health, as well as to encourage people to seek help before they reach crisis point.

Surviving Suicide, 10.40pm, Wednesday 5 March 2008, BBC One

Rise to the challenge for Sport Relief by running the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile.

There are 23 flagship Miles to choose from: Belfast Custom House Square; Birmingham Centenary Square; Brighton & Hove Madeira Drive; Bristol Harbourside; Cardiff Bay; Coventry The Whittle Arches; Edinburgh West Princes Street Gardens; Gateshead Saltwell Park; Glasgow Green; Hull Queen Victoria Square; Ipswich Portman Road; Leeds Roundhay Park; Liverpool Waterfront; London Victoria Embankment; Manchester Albert Square; Middlesbrough Centre Square and MIMA; Milton Keynes Midsummer Boulevard; Norwich St Peters Street; Nottingham Victoria Embankment; Plymouth Plymouth Hoe; Sheffield Millennium Square; Southampton Palmerston Road; and Swansea National Waterfront Museum.

The Sport Relief Mile takes place on Sunday 16 March.
Sign up for your nearest Mile at http://www.sportrelief.com.

To make a donation, call 08457 910 910 (calls cost no more than 4p per minute from BT landlines. Minimum call charge 6p. Other operator and mobile rates may vary).

Since its launch in 2002, almost £50million has been raised through Sport Relief.

Comic Relief spends the money raised to help vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries.

Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered with the charity commission No. 326568.

Surviving Suicide - a moving documentary for Sport Relief (BBC)