Date: 8th February 2024
Ep 14
Mark Kilbey is former police officer and detective who retired from the force after 20 years through mental ill-health, after which followed a long period of mental illness including suicide attempts. He set up the peer-led mental health charity Take Off to support people in similar situations. Sarah Winn is a theatre maker who works with young offenders, vulnerable adults and diverse communities . After the loss of her cousin by suicide, Sarah set out to create a piece of verbatim theatre to highlight the issues around male mental health and suicide.
In this episode Mark and Sarah share their own stories and how they came together to make the play called ‘No one Here Is Me’, the impact of the process and the performance, and how the process has forged an incredible friendship between them.
*** Please note, the episode includes discussions around severe mental illness and suicide ***
Links:
Take Off
No one Here Is Me
Portrait Theatre
Wellbeing in the Arts
Socials:
@sarahwinnactor
@dreamwinn
@TakeOff_charity
If you’re struggling with your own mental health, or you’re having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone else who is, please seek help.
Places you can contact include:
Mind – Seeking help for a mental health problem
National Suicide Prevention helpline: Call 0800 689 5652
SOS Silence of Suicide Call 0300 1020 505
Samaritans Call 116 123
Childline (under 19s) Call 0800 1111
If you fear for someone’s immediate safety, guide them to Accident and Emergency or dial 999 for immediate assistance
