Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, recently visited the Craig Tyler Trust drop-in centre in Pitsea to hear about the support that their volunteers provide to individuals and families coping with mental ill-health and the impact of suicide.
In the words of Craig Tyler’s family:
“The Craig Tyler Trust is a charity set up in the memory of a beloved boy, who, after a battle with mental health, took his own life, at the age of just 22, in April 2018. Craig left his family and friends grieving immensely. We wanted to make sure that anyone who needs support doesn’t suffer in silence so we all pulled together to set up The Craig Tyler Trust, vowing to help as many people as we can.”
Following Craig’s death, the family trained in mental health awareness and suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. The Craig Tyler Trust is now a registered charity – number 1192176 – and offers support 6 days-a-week to anyone who is suffering from any type of mental ill-health or suicide.
Suicide is a silent killer and the biggest cause of death for young men. The volunteers at the Trust work to break down the stigma of coping with mental ill-health – a friendly chat or a hug is the starting point.
Stephen spoke to volunteers at their drop-in centre to discuss the support they give to families suffering after the suicide of a loved one and about the other services they provide, such as the Trust’s ‘discovery for recovery’ workshop and a suicide bereavement group which meets every other Tuesday at The Place, Northlands Pavement in Pitsea.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “I want to thank the volunteers at the Craig Tyler Trust for discussing with me the work they do in the local area. The Trust relies on donations from the local community and its volunteers provide invaluable support to individuals and families coping with mental ill-health.
Young men are statistically more likely to suffer mental ill-health and less likely to seek help. The Trust’s volunteers work to create a very open and friendly environment at their drop-in centre. Conversation and intervention are the biggest tools we have in order to fight against the disease of mental ill-health.”
Further details:
The Craig Tyler Trust’s bereavement group meets every other Tuesday 6-8pm at The Place, Northlands Pavement, Pitsea, SS13 3DU. The next meeting is on 14 March.
The Trust also has a Whatsapp information service which you can contact on the number: 07749691268
The Trust’s website can be found here: https://www.thecraigtylertrust.co.uk/
