I am a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nottingham where I lead the Self-Harm Research group - we carry out research on self-harm and suicide.
For a few years now I have been collaborating with Harmless - an amazing user led support service. Harmless provides a range of services and supports for people who are struggling with self-harm and suicide, and their families. Their work is invaluable but funding is difficult to secure.
Suicide claims over 6000 lives in the UK every year. Each suicide is a tragedy which has a profound impact on at least 20 people who are bereaved and may affect over 100 people - that's between 120,000 - 600,000 devastated relatives, friends and work colleagues. Every. Single. Year. Suicide is preventable and organisations like Harmless are vital in helping communities become safer from suicide.
I am pledging to walk 1000 miles between 1st March (Self-Injury Awareness Day) and 31st December 2018 to help Harmless provide people in distress with the support they urgently need. I have registered with https://www.walk1000miles.co.uk/home and will track my miles using my trusty Fitbit.
I've previously walked the Shine overnight marathon for Cancer Research UK but this will be a significantly tougher challenge!
