Mindstep: £100,000 raised for suicide prevention research
Thank you to the Mindstep Foundation for sharing the following article:
The Mindstep Foundation has raised £100,000 for suicide prevention research at the University of Glasgow.
Over the last two years, the charity has supported the work of the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory (SBRL) led by world-renowned suicide prevention research expert Professor Rory O’Connor, enabling key research into understanding and preventing suicide.
The research has allowed for improved risk assessment and intervention for those at risk of suicide and has advanced understanding of the factors associated with suicide risk. Since March 2020, the charity has also supported research into the ongoing effects of the pandemic on mental health and suicide risk. The study, which is the most in-depth in the UK, has identified higher levels of suicidal thoughts in young people, those with pre-existing mental health problems and those from more disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Mindstep Foundation was established in memory of Max Davies, who died by suicide in 2018 at the age of 22 following a short period of clinical depression. Max’s family set up the charity to fund research, raise awareness and provide mental health support. Tracey Davies, Max’s mum and Mindstep co-founder, said
“We were absolutely devastated by the loss of our beautiful, loving and talented son. Following his passing, we were determined to help those who felt the same as Max and to prevent another family having to experience the pain of bereavement by suicide.
Whilst suicide is the biggest killer of young men under 45, research into prevention is chronically underfunded. We reached out to Professor Rory and established the Mindstep Foundation Fellowship at the University of Glasgow. Over the last two years, we are proud to have supported ground-breaking research which will help to provide better risk assessment, treatment planning and interventions for those at risk of suicide. We are also delighted to confirm that we will be continuing our support to the university for a further two years from January 2022.
We are very thankful to our incredible supporters who have helped us raise over £100,000 for this vital research. The Mindstep Foundation Fellowship would not be possible without their efforts.”
Professor Rory O’Connor from the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory at the University of Glasgow said:
“I am so incredibly grateful to Tracey and the Mindstep Foundation for supporting our research into understanding and preventing suicide, through the Mindstep Foundation Fellowship. Their generous support has allowed us to identify specific groups who have been particularly affected by the pandemic, as well as other research into identifying those who are most at risk of suicide. I am delighted that we will continue our partnership with the Mindstep Foundation for at least another two years as we continue to tackle the devastation of suicide.”
The Mindstep Foundation has this week confirmed that it will fund the fellowship for a further two years from 2022, as well as continuing with its other activities promoting mental health and suicide prevention.
