Will Vaulks speaks to the brother of Joey Beauchamp and the mum of Jack Badger on suicide, sharing their stories and seeking help.
Vaulks is urging people to get seek the help they need after the death of both of his grandparents to suicide. Will was 13 when grandfather Tom died, then 15 months later, his paternal grandfather Hywel also committed suicide.
For World Mental Health Day, he was joined by Luke Beauchamp, the brother of Joey, and Sharon Badger, whose son Jack, took his own life in September.
You can watch the full discussion in the YouTube video below…
“It needs more help because there’s so many questions.”
Oxford United’s Will Vaulks is joined by Luke Beauchamp and Sharon Badger to share their stories around mental health and loss in honour of World Mental Health Day 💛💚 pic.twitter.com/VLcXLav9YP
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 10, 2024
Can We Talk? pic.twitter.com/PPHlXdX3F4
— Oxford United (@OUFCOfficial) October 10, 2024
Will said, per Sky Sports: “They were both amazing grandparents.
“Grandad Hywel was really kind and gentle, and had all the time in the world. Grandad Tom was more boisterous, he let us misbehave. He drove a red motorcycle that I’ll never forget sitting on the back of.”
Luke Beauchamp talked of his brother Joey, who became a legend for the U’s with over 400 appearances. Luke was the one to find Joey, who took his own life aged 50 in February 2022.
“I had an arrangement with Joey at the time because he was struggling so much,” said Luke.
“I would message him or ring him most days, and if he didn’t reply to me – I had a key to his house – I’d give him a few opportunities to reply. If he didn’t, I would go round there and let myself in and unfortunately on that day I found him there.”
Sharon’s son, Jack, took his own life in September 2024, aged 24.
“Jack was such a lovely guy, everyone’s friend, everyone loved him. Mad into his football and everyone’s hero,” said Sharon.
“How did I not see the signs? I’m his mother. I should know everything about him.
“He’s my little boy, there must have been signs. I could have stopped it; I could have protected him.”
Everyone at Oxford United is devastated to learn of the passing of U’s fan Jack Badger.
We send our sincere condolences to Jack’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time 💛 https://t.co/dWP9bKdLrF
— Oxford United (@OUFCOfficial) September 18, 2024
Tonight this amazing community has pulls together & BROKEN our attendance record with an incredible 1567 here tonight
Thank you so much to everyone who came tonight, a record broken all for you Badge 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/UDJtoR9FLL
— Abingdon United FC Official (@Abutdfc) October 4, 2024
Following Joey’s death, his family set up a found in the name of the footballer in the hope of addressing the need for mental health support and awareness within the community.
Luke says: “I wish I’d said to him that I was proud of him, or that I loved him.
“Have I spoken about it as much as I probably should have done? No, but that’s something that I’m still dealing with.
“It was devastating, it still is and it’s something that has changed our lives forever.”
Will, Luke and Sharon came together with an open and honest chat at the Kassam Stadium for Oxford United’s ‘Can We Talk?’ campaign in partnership with the Joey Beauchamp Foundation and Oxfordshire Mind, with the organisations to soon launch a free mental health workshops to empower the local community with tools to understand and support mental health.
“I’ve spoken to numerous suicide survivors and how they realised that life does get better,” said Will.
“Ring a charity, ring Samaritans, speak to people who love you or people you don’t know. That’s where it starts. Get the help you need.”
MENTAL HEALTH – DEPRESSION HELPLINES
NHS – Mental Health
Comprehensive help and information from NHS with links to external help and support.
NHS INFORM (Scotland)
The site is designed to offer information, advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions. From the site you are able to print off various self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Anxiety, panic attacks & trauma
This leaflet is for anyone who is, or has been depressed. We hope it will also be helpful for friends and relatives. It describes what depression feels like, some of the help that is available, how you can help yourself and how to help someone else who is depressed. It also mentions some of the things we don’t know about depression. At the end of the leaflet there is a list of other places where you can get further information.
MindÂ
MindInfoline: 0300 123 3393
Side by side – on-line support community
The MindinfoLine offers thousands of callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues. Mind helps people take control of their mental health. We do this by providing high-quality information and advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone. They also provide a special legal service to the public, lawyers and mental health workers.
Shout
Text Shout to 85258
Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
Breathing Space (Scotland)
Helpline:Â 0800 83 85 87
Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can overwhelm us. It helps to get some Breathing Space. Pick up the phone – we’re here to listen. We are a free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
SAMHÂ (Scottish Association for Mental Health)
SAMH Information Team: 0344 800 0550
Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others. These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.
Trauma Research UK
We are a national registered trauma research charity dedicated to making a difference. Offering support and recovery programmes to those suffering from trauma and anxiety-related disorders such as phobias, panic attacks, PTSD, OCD, GAD etc. We know you may be suffering right now, but please consider this – “It’s not what’s wrong with you, it’s what happened to you”.
Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database. It brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place. We want to ensure that all of us – no matter what we are experiencing, or how we see and understand our experiences – feel welcome on the Hub of Hope.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness can give people more insight into their emotions, boost their attention and concentration and improve relationships. It’s proven to help with stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviours, and can even have a positive effect on physical problems like hypertension, heart disease and chronic pain.
ChildLine
Helpline: 0800 11 11
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chat with us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine about anything – no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.
Young Minds Helpline: 0808 802 5544 www.youngminds.org.uk Parents’ Information Service gives advice to parents or carers who may be concerned about the mental health or emotional wellbeing of a child or young person.
Kooth.com
Kooth.com is an online counselling service and online mental health community that provides vulnerable young people, between the ages of 11 and 25, with advice and support for emotional or mental health problems. Kooth.com offers users a free, confidential, safe and anonymous way to access help.
The Mix
Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Life’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all. So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK – 0800 068 4141 www.papyrus-uk.org
Worried about someone… Support for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person may be experiencing thoughts of suicide.
stem4
stem4 is a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them including their families and carers, education professionals, as well as school nurses and GPs through the provision of mental health education, resilience strategies and early intervention. This is primarily provided digitally through our innovative education programme, pioneering mental health apps, clinically-informed website and mental health conferences that contribute to helping young people and those around them flourish.
Students Against Depression www.studentdepression.org Developed in consultation with students who have been affected by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Many of their stories and suggestions are included on the site.
Campaign Against Living Miserably Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 www.thecalmzone.net The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) works to prevent male suicide and offers support services for any man who is struggling or in crisis. CALM’s helpline 0800 58 58 58 and web-chat are for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. The services are open 5pm–midnight daily and are free, anonymous and confidential. For access or to find more information visit thecalmzone.net
SOS Silence of Suicide
For support call: 0808 115 1505 (8pm to midnight M-F. 4 to midnight Sat/Sun)
We support everyone affected by suicide, whether they be bereaved, having thoughts of suicide, or have attempted suicide. No one should feel awkward. No one should feel isolated, we will continue to support everyone and anyone who needs our help.
Samaritans Tel: 116 123 (Free)
www.samaritans.org Whatever you’re going through, we’re here to help 24 hours a day. We won’t judge you and we won’t share what you tell us with anyone else. Get in touch by telephone, email, letter and face to face in the UK and Ireland. Visit befrienders.org if you live outside the UK or Ireland.
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