Source link : https://london-news.net/carrying-hope-a-mothers-journey-to-shine-a-light-on-youth-mental-health-awareness/
A mother whose 30-year-old son took his own life has taken on the responsibility of carrying the baton during the concluding segment of a national initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness.
Poppy Hocken, hailing from Bath, tragically lost her eldest son, Alex, in 2016 while he was pursuing a nursing career in Bristol.
She participated in a nationwide campaign known as Baton of Hope, which focuses on increasing awareness of suicide among youth in the UK. Earlier this month, she had the honor of carrying the baton for a portion of its final journey through London, after it had already traversed the country.
“I’m filled with emotion, but also an immense sense of pride. This isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s for my family and for Alex, who we hold dear in our hearts and will miss endlessly,” Ms. Hocken expressed.
The Baton of Hope initiative aims to shed light on suicide among young individuals while enhancing guidance, training, and understanding surrounding this critical issue.
This tour has seen a specially designed baton being carried across the nation by those affected by suicide, with Ms. Hocken being one of the final participants during its last leg in London.
“The baton represents mental health and wellbeing,” stated Mike McArthy, co-founder of Baton of Hope.
“We hope it sends a message to individuals facing dark times for any reason, showing them that there are many who care and want to offer support and a listening ear,” he…
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Publish date : 2025-10-11 15:37:00
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