Hello all, I’m a 36 year old mum of 3 from Lee on Solent. I have suffered with depression my whole adult life. I have been suicidal and I have lost friends to suicide. Luckily I am now 5 years sober and I have more good days than bad. I have been inspired by a group called Bridges of Hope which has been ran in Derby by Rocco Hawkins for over a year now and has saved more than 15 lives. Rocco has also been suicidal before and he as found stood on the other side of the railings on a bridge. Since then for over a year Rocco has been placing messages of Hope on bridges, 6 on each side, one showing Samaritans phone number and one showing the bridges of hope FB page. Derby Council are now behind him and he has even received a Beacon of Hope Award. 

Unfortunately after a few weeks of doing this I have come up against some barriers from the local councils who have to follow the guidance from Samaritans regarding messages of Hope. They feel that my messages of Hope may draw people to the to the bridges in order to commit suicide. This just doesn’t make sense to me. The bridges are already hotspots for suicide and we’re hearing about incidents more and more. I can assure you that being up on one of those bridges is scary and would only be an option for someone who is already suicidal and beyond desperate to end the pain. I have seen only two Samaritans signs in the past month, on one bridge. It has a phone number on it and that is good for some people because I do not doubt that the Samaritans have saved many lives with their helpline. However, some people when suicidal or depressed find it very hard to speak to loved ones let alone strangers. Depression can make you introvert and not want to talk to anyone. This is how I was when I was depressed and suicidal. Samaritans can only listen too, they can’t advise someone not to harm themselves or that they are loved, & their family need them here. My messages are loving, kind and hopeful and in that moment when no one can explain your thoughts or feelings, that is what you need to see. Love and hope. The messages are the last chance to intervene and try to change someone's mindset before it is too late.

This petition is to show how many people, including families of suicide victims and people who have been suicidal, support me and the messages of Hope. A fundraiser has been very successful in helping me get weatherproof signs. I don’t want to carry on putting them up only to be cut down. I therefore ask for change and I am willing to work with the Samaritans but they have to at least hear me out because my view is just as valid as theirs because I have been suicidal and I made it to the other side. This has really brought a community together in a positive way to try and deal with a very tragic subject. Thank you for reading. Xx