Prince William marked the start of Mental Health Awareness Week by opening a suicide prevention centre in Birmingham, calling them a need around the United Kingdom.
The Prince of Wales has opened every James’ Place location, with centres in London, Liverpool and Newcastle already in existence. He said during his visit, “I hope we can get more of you around the UK, because it is in need of it sadly.”
James’ Place was started in 2008 by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley in honour of their son, James, who died by suicide at the age of 18. Since the organisation’s creation they have helped more than 5,100 men through suicidal crises with their therapeutic interventions.
Prince William said, “We need to talk more about suicide, talk more about preventing it and talk about getting it [help] to young men and women earlier, so we don’t have to have these centres in the very long run.”
James’ Place become a founding partner of the Royal Foundation’s National Suicide Prevention Network last fall and received funding for two satellite service pilot programs in the North East and North West of England for 12 months to further expand their support.
During his visit, the future king received a tour of the facilities and met with service providers and men receiving treatment. One man told reporters afterwards, “It’s quite remarkable meeting someone like that but also someone who is listening to every word you are saying and actually responding in kind.”
Another man, who travelled to be a part of the discussion with William, said, “It was like just talking to anybody, really. You wouldn’t think you were speaking to the prince, the future King. It was just speaking to another man, just having a chat.”
Other members of the National Suicide Prevention Network were also on hand for the discussions. These included PAPYRUS, MindOUT and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance.
“We are so grateful to…The Prince of Wales for opening our new James’ Place centre,” said James’ Place’s Chief Executive, Ellen O’Donoghue, in a statement on their official website.
“The Prince has opened all four of our centres, which is a testament to how deeply he cares about suicide prevention… We know that the work we do saves lives, and we’re here to help men in the West Midlands out of their crisis and find hope for the future.”
