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Hi, my name is Helen, and I am fundraising for the Baton of Hope UK, UK Sepsis Trust and Solent Mind. The charity Baton of Hope was founded in 2023 to raise awareness of suicide prevention, improving access to information and services so as to prevent suicide. The Baton is coming to Portsmouth on Friday 26 September, and I will be one of the Baton Bearers. Here is why;
I attempted suicide in April 2021. I was lucky to be found; I spent two weeks on a ventilator in Intensive Care. However as I recovered from the overdose I developed pneumonia and Sepsis. I experienced multiple organ failure on two occasions; luckily I was treated in time as the source of the infection was found quickly.
I found that, upon discharge from hospital, I had only the support of family members and my local mental health team; I still had issues relating to having sepsis. I found a group on Facebook and began taking part in Zoom meetings, and found many of the issues I had been having were related to post sepsis syndrome. I spoke to the dedicated Sepsis Nurses several times; they helped me with understanding the condition and how it was affecting me. I was fortunate enough to be referred to a neuropsychiatric unit for intensive therapy; I was diagnosed with a mild hypoxic brain injury that was causing memory impairment and other cognitive problems. Upon discharge I was referred to Talking Change, which is a counselling service and I had CBT. This really helped me to understand how I became suicidal; what the signs are and helped me to reach a point where I could recognise them. I no longer feel ashamed of attempting suicide; I am alive and happy. I am free.
It’s not just asking if someone is okay; it’s really asking the important questions. Don’t tell someone to go for a walk; make sure they know you are there. And you can be. On 26 September there will be events all over the city. The Baton will travel across the country beginning in Blackpool on 1st September and ending in London on 10th October. I am so proud and excited to have been selected.
It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to talk about it
I attempted suicide in April 2021. I was lucky to be found; I spent two weeks on a ventilator in Intensive Care. However as I recovered from the overdose I developed pneumonia and Sepsis. I experienced multiple organ failure on two occasions; luckily I was treated in time as the source of the infection was found quickly.
I found that, upon discharge from hospital, I had only the support of family members and my local mental health team; I still had issues relating to having sepsis. I found a group on Facebook and began taking part in Zoom meetings, and found many of the issues I had been having were related to post sepsis syndrome. I spoke to the dedicated Sepsis Nurses several times; they helped me with understanding the condition and how it was affecting me. I was fortunate enough to be referred to a neuropsychiatric unit for intensive therapy; I was diagnosed with a mild hypoxic brain injury that was causing memory impairment and other cognitive problems. Upon discharge I was referred to Talking Change, which is a counselling service and I had CBT. This really helped me to understand how I became suicidal; what the signs are and helped me to reach a point where I could recognise them. I no longer feel ashamed of attempting suicide; I am alive and happy. I am free.
It’s not just asking if someone is okay; it’s really asking the important questions. Don’t tell someone to go for a walk; make sure they know you are there. And you can be. On 26 September there will be events all over the city. The Baton will travel across the country beginning in Blackpool on 1st September and ending in London on 10th October. I am so proud and excited to have been selected.
It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s okay to talk about it
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