Steven's Story: 25 Lancashire Minds

Steven’s Story

“Building rapport with people in crisis can be the difference between life and death.” Steven, who is one of hundreds of Orange Button holders trained by Lancashire Mind, understands the life changing power of reaching out to someone who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. 

**Trigger warning: Content contains discussion on suicide and loss.

Steven said: “I wear my orange button on a daily basis as it creates an opportunity to talk about mental health as people often ask what is the orange button for. This leads to conversations about the course and during these conversations it has allowed me to support three people who were close to acting on their thoughts of suicide.” 

Steven continued: “It is important to do the training as the need for mental health support in the community is growing and by having support in the community it helps people get the support they need which in crisis can be very important.” 

“Like lots of men I have found admitting I have mental health issues hard. Whilst going through a marriage break up, I suffered depression, and I got to the point where I considered taking my own life. Fortunately, I received great support from the NHS. Following this, I decided to do the training to gain the skills to allow me to help other people in similar circumstances and give back to my community.” 

Steven’s training with Lancashire Mind took place virtually. Steven found the training following the completion of Mental Health First Aid. Steven said: “I decided to complete the training as I volunteer as a street pastor in Chorley, during which we encounter people of all ages who can be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or who maybe in a mental health crisis.” Steven has used the skills gained on the training to help prevent a suicide by having the confidence to signpost and engage in vital conversation, “I was a to get him the support needed.”

Steven felt that the content of the Orange Button training was at the right level for someone who has never dealt with the subject of suicide before and felt that the training was very relaxed. Steve said: “The trainer will only ask you to participate if you want to as the idea of the training is to give you the skills to strike up a conversation with someone in crisis and the signpost them to professional help.” 

In addition to the Orange Button training, Lancashire Mind also held their first World Suicide Prevention Day memory walk in 2024. Steven attended this event as a volunteer. Steven said: “I decided to volunteer for the walk as at the time I was feeling a little low myself and therefore thought going out and helping other people would allow me to improve my own mental health.” 

During the memory walk Steven wore his Orange Button alongside other volunteers. Steven said, “I had the opportunity to speak to people who had lost family members to suicide, including someone who was walking for their granddaughter. She told me, she wished she’d had the courage and skills to talk to her granddaughter because maybe she would still be here today if she did.” 

After completing the Orange Button training Steven said he felt great and had a sense of accomplishment knowing he would be able to help support people in his local community. Steven said: “I really enjoyed volunteering at the memory walk and felt it was great to see the importance of how much more is needed to help prevent unnecessary deaths especially in young people just because there is no one available to give them the support they need, By doing the walk we are bringing up the publicity of the importance of the work Lancashire Mind and other mental health charities do. 

Join the Orange Button

Lancashire has the second highest suicide rate in the UK but together we can change this. Find out more about how you can take part in Orange Button scheme: 

Suicide prevention

Support

If you’re having thoughts of suicide, self-harm, experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, or other mental health emergency, you are not alone, and help is available:

👉 Papyrus – 0800 068 4141 or Text: 88247
👉 SHOUT – text SHOUT to 85258 for crisis support
👉 CALM Suicide Support – 0800 58 58 58
👉 NHS Mental Health Access Line – non-emergency call 111