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The Hopeshow: Campaigning to end the stigma around suicide
The Hopeshow is a national roadshow led by Professor Pooja Saini, following the powerful Let’s Talk Hope: Ending the Stigma around Suicide podcast series. Through events, panels, and community conversations across the UK, it aims to break down stigma around suicide, challenge judgement, and open up honest dialogue.
What is The Hopeshow?
The Hopeshow is a national awareness campaign focused on reducing stigma and encouraging more open, informed conversations about suicide prevention.
Created by Professor Pooja Saini, academic lead of the Suicide and Self-Harm Research Group at Liverpool John Moores University, the campaign builds on the themes of the powerful Let’s Talk Hope: Ending the Stigma around Suicide podcast to explore pressing issues around mental health and suicide.
At each location, the Hopeshow dives into key topics through engaging discussions, expert perspectives and community insight. It aims to:
Reduce the stigma of disclosing suicidal thoughts
Challenge judgement around suicide and self-harm within professional settings
Reduce stigma experienced by those bereaved by suicide
From exploring the role of education in prevention to tackling judgement in healthcare, The Hopeshow highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and evidence-based approaches in every setting.
Upcoming events
Events are taking place across the UK, see below for the latest updates in your area.
17th October
Birmingham
Stronger together: Empowering community action to prevent youth suicide
About the event
This free event brings together young people, families, practitioners, researchers, and community leaders to explore ways to better support youth mental health. It includes interactive activities and a panel discussion with experts and those with lived experience, fostering open conversations and collaborative approaches to suicide prevention.
When: 17 October 2025, 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: The Exchange, 3 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2DR
Register your attendance
You can find out more about the event, and register your attendance here.
TBC
Glasgow
Innovative suicide prevention interventions: In collaboration with Professor Rory O’Connor
TBC
Newcastle
Men’s mental health and suicide prevention: In collaboration with James’ Place
TBC
Cumbria
Community suicide prevention: In collaboration with Every Life Matters
TBC
Wigan
Community crisis harbour and living with suicidal thoughtsÂ
TBC
Stratford upon Avon
Women’s mental health and suicide prevention: In collaboration with Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre
TBC
Brighton
TBC –Â In collaboration with Grassroots Suicide Prevention
TBC
Dorset
Barbers and hairdressing: In collaboration with Lion’s Barber Collective
TBC
Derry
Trauma and suicide prevention: In collaboration with Professor Siobhán O’Neill
Let's Talk Hope: Ending the Stigma around Suicide
Let’s Talk Hope: Ending the Stigma around Suicide is a powerful new podcast series dedicated to opening honest conversations around suicide prevention, mental health, and community support.Â
Each episode features a diverse mix of voices, from people with lived experience to frontline professionals, exploring topics like:Â
- Crisis intervention
- Community support
- Postvention
- Barbershop-based outreach
- The impact of menopause on mental health
It’s a series about awareness and action, and explores what prevention really means, from early intervention and community support to the impact of suicide on families and the unique barriers faced by marginalised groups.
S1E06 - Breaking the Cycle
About the episode
In this episode of Let’s Talk Hope, host Gemma Cutting and Professor Pooja Saini discuss the generational cycle of suicide with guests Ellie Parmakas and Jasmine Humphries from Epic Hope. They explore the importance of community support, lived experience in suicide prevention, and the role of media in raising awareness. The conversation highlights the need for alternative crisis intervention services and the significance of breaking the cycle of suicide within families. The episode emphasizes hope, support, and the importance of managing suicidal feelings rather than simply recovering from them.
S1E05 - Suicide Survivors: Stories of Strength
About the episode
In this episode of Let’s Talk Hope, host Gemma Cutting and Professor Pooja Saini engage in a heartfelt discussion with guests Jake, Damian, and Lindsay, who share their personal experiences with suicide and mental health struggles. The conversation highlights the importance of lived experiences in shaping mental health services, the impact of environment on recovery, and the need for awareness and understanding in addressing mental health issues. The episode emphasizes the role of data in improving mental health support and concludes with a call to action for listeners to seek help and share resources.
S1E04 - Women, Menopause and Mental Health
About the episode
This episode of Let’s Talk Hope delves into the critical intersection of menopause, mental health, and suicide prevention. Hosted by Gemma Cutting, it features discussions with MP Carolyn Harris and Dr. Louise Newson, who share personal experiences and insights on the stigma surrounding menopause, the importance of advocacy, and the urgent need for awareness and research in this area. The conversation highlights the alarming statistics regarding suicide rates among menopausal women and emphasizes the necessity for better training and understanding within the medical community.
S1E03 - Hope in Action: What Communities Can Do
About the episode
This episode of Let’s Talk Hope focuses on suicide prevention, featuring a diverse range of guests who share their experiences and insights. The conversation highlights the importance of community-based initiatives, the role of data in understanding suicide, and the need for collaboration between different services. The guests emphasize the significance of storytelling in raising awareness and normalizing conversations around mental health. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to seek help and utilize available resources.
S1E02 - Post Vention: Supporting Those Bereaved by Suicide
About the episode
In this episode of Let’s Talk Hope, host Gemma Cutting and Professor Pooja Saini engage in a profound discussion about suicide post-vention, featuring personal stories from individuals who have been bereaved by suicide. The conversation highlights the importance of peer support, breaking the stigma surrounding suicide, and the need for education in schools to prevent future tragedies. The episode also explores the ongoing advocacy work of the guests and the significance of community support in healing and prevention efforts.
S1E01 - Distress in Disguise: Recognising the Signs
About the episode
In this episode of Let’s Talk Hope, host Gemma Cutting and guests Jane Boland and Rob Glover discuss with Prof. Pooja Saini the importance of addressing suicide and mental health openly. They explore the pressures faced by public figures, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the need for community conversations to support those in crisis. The episode emphasizes that anyone can be affected by suicidal thoughts and that it is crucial to create safe spaces for dialogue and support.