Helping to shine a light on suicide

Did you know that the North East currently has the highest rate of suicide in the country and has done for the past five years?

Until recently, I had no idea of this upsetting fact, and that’s what I’m so proud to be joining forces with a local charity that aims to reduce this tragic statistic.

Teesside charity The Headlight Project was set up by Catherine Devereux in 2019, following the death by suicide of her husband, popular Teesside businessman Russ Devereux.

While I never knew Russ personally, he was very well loved within the local business community and by many people that I do know and respect, so it seems fitting that I should use my skills and experience for the service of the community, by helping those who founded the Headlight Project to achieve their goals more quickly

Over the next few months, I will be working with the trustees and leadership team at the project to help them be clear about what they are trying to achieve, as well as helping to help them get there successfully.

Catherine said: “We’ve grown organically since it began and there is a real need for our services. Ian has already begun to help us to focus on what the long-term aim of the charity is, which is now very clear… To reduce the number of deaths by suicide in our local area.

“We will do this through three measures. One, by providing therapeutic support to children and adults who have suffered a traumatic bereavement by suicide, as they are around 70 per cent more at risk to die by suicide.

“Two, by building emotional resilience within young people by going into schools to talk around the subject and, three, by empowering our community to have these discussions by providing training to local organisations and workplaces.

“Ian has given us his time, which is precious, and his knowledge, which is invaluable. We are immensely grateful for all his help and support.”

Mental health is a cause that is particularly important to me, and compassionate employers need to be aware of the danger that is presented to the people in their care.

We also know, and my own experience bears this out, that there is a connection between stress levels and mental health. I believe that those stress levels are multiplied many times for those in senior roles, which involve employing others and even more for those who employ others as well as own the business. We must do everything we can to reduce the terrible cost this can bring to families and society.

The Headlight Project is also hosting a charity hike later this year to raise funds for the initiative.

Hike into the Light is a 13-mile moonlit hike taking place on July 23rd, starting and finishing at Lord Stones, Carlton Bank, North Yorkshire. Places are limited to 50 and potential attendees can email: to get involved.

To learn more about The Headlight Project and the work it does across the region, visit www.headlightproject.org.