Suicide Awareness Talk and Q&A

Dr Alex Cotton MBE, Hon DSc Warwick University, who is the founder of the “It Takes Balls to Talk” charity, has worked inside the NHS mental health services for over 30 years and then went to work alongside West Midlands Police as a Street Triage Nurse (a mental health nurse that responds to mental health emergencies with the police). 

The model of this charity is to take messages and create awareness to where people are, especially men with suicide being the highest cause of death amongst men under 45.  

“It Takes Balls to Talk” regularly attend major sporting events to promote mental health awareness. The charity is in residency at Warwick Arts Centre’s Shed in the foyer, from 16-30 November. 

Find out more about our Shed residency for Male Mental Health Awareness Month.

Recommended additional support

If you require any additional support, we recommend contacting Samaritans or The Calm Zone which both offer anonymous helplines as well as NHS Every Mind Matters. In emergencies, you are advised to call NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health services) or 999 if you are in a life threatening situation.  

If you are a Warwick student and do not require urgent care, we recommend reaching out to Wellbeing Services Opening hours are 8.30-5pm Monday-Thursday and 8.30-4pm (Fridays).  If you are a Warwick student and require critical assistance, you may also contact our Community Safety team who operate 24 hours daily and can be reached via 024 7652 2222.