Remembering Daniel, averting tragedy – Darlington to mark World Suicide Prevention Day
Darlington will be wearing specially designed T-shirts in support of World Suicide Prevention Day in their pre-match warm-up this Saturday. Supplied by North East charity If U Care Share, the tops promote its annual Inside Out campaign, which encourages people to start conversations – writes Colin Young.
Before the start of the Darlo’s National League North clash against Hereford at Blackwell Meadows, fans will be able to get their hands on the garments when Steve Watson’s players dish them to fans around the ground. If U Care Share will also have a stall to distribute T-shirts and encourage supporters to get involved.
Suicide is now the number one killer of men aged 21-60 in the North East. This year, World Suicide Prevention Day is on Wednesday, September 10. To mark the event, the charity based in Chester-le-Street, near Darlington, will be asking people to wear their clothes inside out and express their feelings – a conversations which could save lives.
Six people aged between 21 and 60 die by suicide every week in the North East alone. When this happens, an average 135 people, family, friends and colleagues, are thought to be impacted, according to figures from the World Health Organisation and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
If U Care Share was set up in 2005 by the family of Daniel O’Hare from Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, who had taken his own life at the age of 19 a year earlier. Daniel had no previous history of mental health issues nor had he shown any outward signs of his intention.
As well as enjoying football and socialising, Daniel had a job managing the family’s online retail business. To this day, his family remain devastated by their loss and are still no nearer to understanding Daniel’s choice.
His younger brothers Matthew and Ben, along with cousin Sarah (then aged ten, five and 12), set up the foundation because they wanted to do something positive and prevent another family suffering a similar experience, as well as creating a lasting memory to Daniel. The family started selling wristbands at football clubs featuring the message If U Care Share and raised over £50,000 for mental health charities.
In 2011, If U Care Share Foundation became a registered charity with three main aims: prevention, intervention and support of those bereaved by suicide.
Since then, it has provided support to those who have lost loved ones to suicide, as well as help and advice to those who are at risk of taking their own life.
Their team of advisers have been delivering workshops on mental health education and suicide prevention in schools, Premier League, EFL and Women’s Super League clubs, and businesses and community organisations across the UK to promote positive mental health.
The majority of Gareth Southgate’s and Sarina Wiegman’s England squads have taken part in an If U Care Share session, taking home one of the charity’s signature bright green stress balls with them.
Last year, charity founder Matthew Smith completed a month-long, 400-plus mile run to every Premier League ground – starting at Bournemouth and finishing at Newcastle’s St James’ Park – to raise funds and awareness.
His efforts brought in more than £30,000 to boost the charity’s services which include intervention training and support for families affected by suicide.
Darlington v Hereford, Saturday, September 6, 3pm. Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington DL1 5NN. Tickets £16-£18. Support If U Care Share here.
