“If someone is in that situation they know they are not alone” – Heads up Gentlemen to start suicide prevention walks

Salford based mental health group Heads up Gentlemen will be starting suicide prevention walks in a bid to help those suffering in the community.

Jeff Moritz, founder of Heads up Gentlemen, started the group due to his own struggles with his mental health, particularly over the past few years, which lead him to seek help from his GP.

He also shared that during that period he attempted to take his own life and that was what prompted him to start a local men’s group for their well-being and mental health.

When Jeff was asked why he chose to do a suicide prevention walk he recalled a conversation he had with a hospital worker: “I had a message from one person that particularly stood out, he works at Bolton hospital and he does night shifts and he drives over a particular bridge.

“Within the past two months he’s had to stop 5 times and call the police over concerns of people being on the bridge late at night”.

The walk will take place after Fridays group sessions at 10pm and the public is welcome to take part in the walk with members from both their men’s and women’s mental health group, the aim is to bring the community together and raise awareness for mental health and suicide.

The walk will start at Cleggs Lane bridge, continue over the bypass and then returning back via Highfield bridge.

Jeff also went on to describe his plans going forward: “I’m meeting with the local counsellor on Thursday and I’m going to ask her about getting an SOS phone installed on the bridge along with signs so if someone is in that situation they know they are not alone”.

A 2024 report published by Salford Men’s Mental Health Commission showed that in the UK men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide, with the highest suicidal rate being men between the ages of 40 ad 49. so groups like this can bring the community together and potentially stop people before they take their lives.

To stay up to date with events that Heads Up Gentlemen will be holding and dates for their support group then they can be reached via their Facebook page.