THE Baton of Hope arrived in Torbay earlier this week and Chief Superintendent Roy Linden, took part in the important event to remember a friend and raise awareness of suicide and available support.

The relay tour is the UK’s largest suicide prevention initiative and Torbay was the only area in the south west to stage a leg of the event.

Devon & Cornwall Police supported the day on September 30, which was organised by Torbay Council and partners.

Baton bearer Ch Supt Linden is the South Devon area Commander for the force.

He joined Torbay Council Chief Executive Anne-Marie Bond and others to walk along Union Street in Torquay before attending a special senior leaders gathering at the Lyceum Theatre to hear inspirational stories and sign a suicide prevention pledge.

He has both personal and professional reasons for taking part.

Chief Supt Roy Linden said: ‘I was honoured to take part in this important event to raise awareness of the risk of suicide, to highlight what we can do to prevent lives being lost and to support those who are suffering with mental ill health.

‘In particular, I was walking to remember a friend and police colleague of mine who died a few years ago.

‘It is a sad reality that there remains a stigma associated with mental ill health and this acts as a significant barrier to the provision of effective help.

‘We also know that the risk is greater in men, accounting for 75% of all deaths by suicide and that it remains the biggest killer of men under the age of 50.

‘Every suicide represents a tragedy, and whether it is at work or at home, it is vital that we are open about the subject of mental ill health and help create the environment where we can listen without judgement.

‘While it is an incredibly rewarding career, policing can also be very demanding, dealing with high levels of violence and trauma, as well as people in crisis.

‘A 2021 study showed that an average frontline officer will face between 400 and 600 traumatic events during a career, compared to a population average of three or four traumatic events.

‘Working closely with colleagues in the armed forces and other emergency services, Devon & Cornwall Police is taking a leading role in highlighting the risks and the support available’.

The relay, which raised awareness of the impact of suicide, passed through Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

One hundred baton bearers – most of whom have been impacted by suicide in some way – took part in the walking relay.

Another police colleague who acted as a baton bearer was Sarah Day, Strategic Co-ordinator for Suicide Prevention at Devon & Cornwall Police.

She carried the baton in Brixham and worked with Torbay Council to bring the Baton of Hope to the Torbay area.

She was also part of the event planning committee and said it was an unbelievable experience to take part.

Sarah said: ‘I carried the Baton of Hope to both highlight and support our unsung heroes – police and other partner agencies - who attend sudden and unexplained deaths, including suspected suicides, and then have to carry out the unimaginable job of telling families and loved ones, as well as preparing files for coroners and attending inquests.

‘I work with police colleagues to ensure that bereaved families and loved ones are offered support and are referred to the right help from the incredible services we have across the Force area.

‘I also carried the Baton for colleagues and those in other emergency services that help people in crisis daily, many of whom are suicidal.

‘The blue light family do the most amazing work talking to and rescuing them.

‘I don’t underestimate how tough all of this is and the toll it can take on my colleagues and partner agencies so this was for them’.

Councillor Nick Bye, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, who handed the baton to Ch Supt Linden, said: ‘Losing people to suicide is something that really can affect everyone.

‘That’s why it was an honour to see so many people out supporting this important initiative.

‘People and organisations from all over the Bay united to raise awareness of this topic and demonstrate that it’s important we keep talking about mental health and the support that is out there for those struggling’.

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