West Ham raise awareness of suicide bereavement with powerful video

West Ham United is supporting the film ‘Heirlooms’, which raises awareness of suicide bereavement and seeks to break the cycle of grief.

The film, spearheaded by Will Castle, who crowdfunded £20k to make the film, is about how those bereaved by suicide who carry the unwanted ‘Heirloom’, how grief is triggered by moments in time like parenthood or shared activities like going to the football. A reflection of his own experience, following his father’s suicide, Castle’s film aims to lift the lid of the dangerous cycle of grief and mental health struggles that survivors face, often in silence.

Each year approximately 6,000 people die by suicide, and a conservative estimate of 36,000 people grieve as a consequence. 1 in 3 people bereaved by suicide will experience suicidal thoughts themselves, and 1 in 10 will attempt to take their own lives. Heirlooms exposes a painful cycle that is too often ignored.

“The grief of losing someone to suicide is unlike any other,” said Castle, executive producer and creator of the film. “My father died 15 years ago, for years, I tried to ignore the pain but since becoming a father myself, I’ve found myself starting to confront the grief that I’ve built up and I’ve opened up about its impact.

“With supportive friends and family around me, I’ve been able to access the support I need, but it isn’t like that, for many, they suffer in silence. Our society doesn’t have the systems in place to adequately support those affected by suicide loss, and this needs to change. ‘Heirlooms’ is a way to start that conversation and bring much-needed attention to this issue.”

Alongside its emotional storytelling, ‘Heirlooms’ brings attention to the crucial work of Suicide&Co, a UK-based charity dedicated to providing therapy and long-term support to those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Suicide&Co offers tailored care that helps survivors navigate their grief, both immediately after their loss and years down the line when the grief may resurface.

“My own experience spurred me to set up Suicide&Co”, Amelia Wrighton, CEO of Suicide&Co, said, “When we were approached by Will and the team to be their charity partner, there was an unspoken understanding of the film and what it was trying to achieve. We exist to help unburden the heirloom of suicide, and provide the much needed support, advice and acceptance those left behind feel. In the tragedy of suicide, it’s so easy to concentrate on the pain of loss, but yet not give ourselves the same grace.”

Directed by Luke Brookner of Sticker Studios, produced by Chloe Shaw and written by Eytan Smith, Alex Horlock and Luke Brookner. The film stars Harry Cadby, from Netflix’s Everything Now, Red Rose and Little Bone Lodge.

West Ham United supporter and CEO & Founder at R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity, Alice Hendy MBE added: “When I lost my brother, Josh, to suicide, the aftermath brought with it complex emotions of grief, guilt, sadness, confusion, and even anger. It’s a unique form of loss that can leave you feeling isolated and misunderstood.

“The ‘Heirlooms’ film provides a raw reflection of suicide loss and really shines a light on how discussing suicide bereavement is an essential part of breaking down the barriers that keep people from receiving help. With West Ham United’s support, the Club is helping to break the stigma surrounding suicide and its aftermath and encouraging those experiencing loss like this to get the support they need and deserve.”

To watch ‘Heirlooms’, to source bereavement support and for more information visit www.suicideandco.org.

Twitter users gave their reaction as West Ham raise awareness of suicide bereavement with a powerful video…

@kogatrafiere: I’ve battled with depression for a long time and I’ve even attempted, this hits right in the feels. ⚒️

@djrevell66: Thank you. Means a lot

@tonypierson2: 👏 very powerful and having lost someone to suicide myself I’m glad to see my club supporting this ❤️⚒

@WestHamXtra: Powerful. ❤️

@ClaretBluBlood: Don’t suffer in silence fellow Hammers ⚒️

@CockneyMc: Very powerful. Gentleman boys it’s okay to speak up and speak out don’t lock things inside as they cause more damage to you in the long run. Family and friends are there if not seek the help

@StepneyHammer: Beautifully done…. so many more of us are on the edge than many would know and if we knew how many, we’d not feel like we need to suffer in silence…

@WHU_lewis1: Wow what a video, fantastic stuff from the club ⚒️❤️🫧

@georgeosbornn3: an extremely well thought out and put together piece on mental health. Extremely proud to support this football club ♥️ if you’re having suicidal thoughts, please speak to someone! x

@sambingham2708: So powerful this 💙

@harvey_garry: Beautiful and powerful ♥️ stay strong lads. Life is shit but we got this 💪🏻

@rachel_whu: so powerful and so important. proud to support this club ❤️

@Kayron27: This hits right in the feels – Very powerful video 🙌🏻 #itsokaytonotbeokay

@JordanHarley67: So very powerful, hit home hard ❤️

@tomdorey03: Powerful video this ❤️⚒️

@RachelSDianaT: This is beautiful and heartbreaking, well done West Ham 💖