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WE OWE IT TO OUR VETERANS
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Coronation Street star Antony Cotton
ROB’S STORY
In 2013, Rob was about to end his life when he remembered an old note in his wallet with messages of support from his friends. It saved his life.
The former army officer shares his story as part of the campaign. “It is important for your friends to spot things and check in from time to time,” he said. “Even if it’s just talking to someone on the phone that can lift your spirits in my personal experience.
“Taking the training is really important. It could be one week, one month, one year where you suddenly come across somebody where that training is going to come into use. But if you’ve got that training, it will really help. And in terms of really help, let’s be honest, it could save somebody’s life.”
WE OWE IT TO OUR VETERANS
Coronation Street star and Help for Heroes patron Antony Cotton is backing a new suicide awareness training for veterans.
The training teaches people how to spot the signs that a veteran might be feeling suicidal and signpost them to the right support.
Antony, who plays Sean Tully in the ITV soap, lost his friend and veteran Joel to suicide.
“If we can change the culture, we can discuss mental health, we can arm ourselves better so that we’re approaching the subject weeks, months, years before,” he said. “Silence is a disease. Talking is the cure. We owe it to our veterans to help them.” Research carried out by YouGov on behalf of Help for Heroes revealed one in three of the UK’s two million veterans* have felt suicidal in their lifetime.**
Veterans who are struggling with suicidal thoughts are more likely to turn to family and friends for support than a trained professional.**
Zero Suicide Alliance has launched the training with Help For Heroes through the charity’s ‘Read between the Lines’ suicide prevention initiative.
For more information: Take the veteran training – zerosuicidealliance.com/veteran-suicide-awareness-training Support the between the lines campaign – helpforheroes.org.uk/between-the-lines/useful-resources/
