Watford's MP has handed a 'Baton of Hope' to the UK Government's Mental Health Minister at 10 Downing Street.

Dean Russell MP handed the baton to Maria Caulfield MP on Thursday (July 6), after it had made its way through towns and cities across the UK.

The 'Baton of Hope' is a new charity that was co-founded by bereaved parents, and aims to prompt conversations about mental health and suicide.

READ MORE

According to the organisation, suicide is the biggest killer of men and women under the age of 35 in the UK.

Dean Russell MP sponsors the 'Baton of Hope' initiative, which was launched at a special event in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 24.

After the baton arrived in London on Thursday, Dean Russell attended 10 Downing Street with Mike McCarthy - a former journalist who lost his 31-year-old son in February 2021.

                                                                                            

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter.

                                                                                            

After a video message from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was played, Dean Russell MP said: "I was delighted to join the final journey to take the Baton of Hope to Downing Street with Mike McCarthy. 

"It was immensely humbling to be given the honour of passing on the baton to the Mental Health Minister, Maria Caulfield MP in No10. 

"This baton has already helped people talk about suicide prevention and it's imperative that the conversation continues.

"I would like to pay tribute to the inspiring team who made this first year such a success.

"As I have said before, if suicide were a virus we would be on the hunt for a vaccine, and if loneliness were a disease would we not try to find a cure?

"Suicide affects so many families across the country. 

"I urge anyone struggling to reach out and get support.

"It is not a weakness to ask for help and I am hopeful campaigns like Baton of Hope are making it easier to do so.”

Further information regarding the 'Baton of Hope' can be found on the charity's website: www.batonofhopeuk.org