I had the pleasure of chatting with Kieren Bodill-Shadlock from SOS Silence of Suicide yesterday and wow - what a conversation.

We got talking about potential ways we might work together in the future, but what really struck me was how much we connected over a shared vision: breaking the stigma around mental health and suicide, and understanding all the factors that impact mental wellbeing.

It was one of those conversations where you just click - and as well as our shared ethos it turns out our paths had actually crossed before around 10 years ago, in very different lifetimes when Kieren worked in a police press office where I was on beat as a journalist.

We shared what had happened in our lives over the last decade and how these experiences had shaped our desire to do some good in the world - particularly when it comes to mental health- and how Kieren had ended up working with the charity.

SOS Silence of Suicide does incredible work, providing training and support programs to prevent suicide and promote mental wellbeing. During our chat, we also explored something I’ve been really passionate about lately: how social media - including platforms like TikTok - can be both a lifeline and a challenge.

I'm currently looking at ways to expand my social media training sessions so charities can use platforms like TikTok to connect with and support people - while also protecting staff wellbeing. I’ll be drawing on my personal experience with social media and mental health, along with my professional experience as a journalist and PR and social media professional.

I love the idea of sharing my personal and professional experiences – including my TEDx Talk – with work that genuinely makes a difference.

Conversations like this remind me why I’m so passionate about working with charities that truly matter. There’s something incredibly energising about connecting with people who care as deeply as you do about making a positive impact.

I’m excited to see where this conversation leads and hope we can explore ways to support charities like SOS in using social media to make a difference – for the people they serve and the people behind the scenes, because mental health matters at every level.

💜 This World Suicide Prevention Day
SOS Silence of Suicide marks 10 years of listening without judgement and standing beside those in despair. Their new initiative, OPEN Conversations, offers free nationwide training to help us stop whispering and start talking.

The Time is Now. Every 90 minutes, a life is lost to suicide in the UK. That’s 17 families changed forever—every single day. These aren’t just numbers. They’re our friends, our colleagues, our loved ones.

Let’s flood our communities with hope, visibility, and courage. You are seen. You are valued. You matter.

#TheTimeIsNow #SuicidePrevention #PurpleiseToPrevent #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #MentalHealthAwareness #YouMatter #EndTheStigma #OpenConversations #SOSSilenceOfSuicide #HopeStartsHere #10YearsOfListening #BreakTheSilence #SupportNotSilence #funerals #dignity #DignityFunerals