More than 650 people have been trained to wear the Orange Button and support people who are having suicidal thoughts, across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Keen to encourage others to join the scheme, Orange Button wearers, Katrina and Euan have shared their stories in two new videos being released this week.
The Orange Button is worn by people who have relevant training in suicide prevention. They are there to listen, signpost to local support, and help reduce stigma by talking openly about suicide.
People often have very personal reasons for becoming an Orange Button wearer.
Katrina, from Worcestershire, who was featured in one of the videos, explains why she wears the orange button with pride: “Back in 2018 we had a supplier that sadly completed suicide. I just felt completely stuck at how to deal with it for myself and how to deal with it for my colleagues. The Orange Button scheme is a way to let people know that you are somebody that they can approach to talk about suicide.
“Every person who wears the Orange Button has the opportunity to save a life. Through wearing it I had a colleague approach me who was in crisis. I’ve been able to support him and signpost him to support which prevented him from taking his own life.
“It’s humbling that I’ve made a difference and by wearing the Orange Button, that person is still here.”
Euan McPherson, from Herefordshire, who features in the other video added: “10 years ago, I was suicidal. My daughter gave me the reason to live. 10 years ago, I didn’t think that I’d ever work again. I’d made several suicide attempts that year.
What I think is so important about the orange button scheme is it challenges some of the stigma around mental health that still exists in society.
“I think what I would say to people who are nervous about coming on board with the scheme is do it, just do it. Once you’ve had the training, you’ll probably find that you feel far more confident than you think you would.
“The ability to help others is phenomenal, and given where I was myself ten years ago, thinking that I can turn that round and now be in a position to help others gives me a great deal of confidence and a lot of strength.”
Over 650 people have joined the Orange Button Community Scheme since the scheme’s launch in September 2022.
Lisa McNally, Worcestershire County Council’s Director of Public Health said: "I’d like to thank Katrina and Euan for sharing their experiences and agreeing to feature in these videos. Each personal story is incredibly inspiring. I hope these stories will encourage others to become Orange Button wearers too.”
Councillor Carole Gandy, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “The more we can all do to support people to speak openly and honestly about their mental health the better. I’m certain that by sharing these stories we will encourage more people to take up the opportunity to wear the Orange Button and provide a listening ear and support to people when they most need it.”
To watch Katrina’s and Euan’s stories and find out more visit the Orange Button pages of the County Council website.
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