Branch secretary shares her struggles for World Suicide Prevention Day

6 September 2024

North Yorkshire Police Federation secretary Helen Scholefield has shared her story about her struggle with depression in a powerful new video for World Suicide Prevention Day.

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Helen has opened up about her attempts on her own life as she encouraged members who are struggling with their own mental health to seek support.

She has shared her story to help break down the stigma around mental health and to show people there ‘is always someone who is willing to listen’.

Helen, who is also the branch mental health and welfare lead, said: “I never thought about it as killing myself, or the easy thing to do.

Watch branch secretary Helen Scholefield's video.

“It was that I just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up because when I was asleep I wasn’t in pain, I wasn’t agonising over everything going on in my head.

“I found myself with a few bottles of wine, blister packs of tablets, and the only reason I am still here is because one of my friends continued to nag me.

Time of need

“At the time I thought he was nagging me, but he was just reaching out and letting me know there was someone there in my time of need.”

In the video, Helen recalls a moment with her dad when she was at her darkest that has stayed with her.

She said: “One of the things that will always remain with me when I was at my darkest was my dad asked me not to do anything stupid and all I could so was promise him I would give him 24 hours.

“To see the look of pain and heartbreak on my dad’s face is something that will stay with me forever.”

Now Helen is encouraging members to talk if they have issues with their mental health and wellbeing.

“It’s really difficult when you’re suffering yourself,” she said. “It doesn’t look like there’s a way out at times.

Listen

“You think that the best thing to do is to contemplate suicide but there is always someone who is willing to listen.

“No one is going to think you’re weak or anything negative about you if you ask for help, so please talk to each other.”

Watch the full North Yorkshire Police Federation video.

It comes as the Police Federation of England and Wales is running a free webinar on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Breaking the Silence: Conversations about mental health and suicide prevention is part of PFEW’s #AskTwice campaign takes place on 10 September from 10.30am.

The session aims to foster open conversations about mental health and provide support within policing and the community.

Find out more about the webinar and register on the PFEW website.