This week, memorial trees were planted at our two hospitals, Conquest and Eastbourne DGH, to remember healthcare workers across the country who have taken their own lives.
The memorial trees are part of a national campaign led by the mental health charity Doctors in Distress and in association with its Patron, BAFTA winner and former NHS doctor Adam Kay, to honour the memory of healthcare professionals lost to suicide and highlight our commitment to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues.
Doctors in Distress is an independent charity that provides peer support for all UK based healthcare workers to promote and protect their mental health and prevent suicide.
Statistics show that in the UK four healthcare workers are lost to suicide every week. These shocking figures are a stark reminder that the wellbeing of our colleagues is paramount.
Alongside the new cherry blossom trees, the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital and the Friends of Conquest Hospital have generously donated two new benches. Together, they offer a welcoming place for reflection, comfort and quiet contemplation for staff, patients and visitors, while serving as a lasting tribute to those who have been lost.
At the Conquest Hospital planting, Rev Graham Atfield, Lead Chaplain at the trust said:
“As we dedicate this memorial tree today, we hold in our thoughts all those healthcare workers whose lives have ended through suicide. We remember them with gratitude and respect. We remember also their families, friends and colleagues who continue to live with their loss.
Simon Merritt, Chief Medical Officer at the trust says:
“We are proud to join other trusts across the country in remembering healthcare workers who have lost their lives to suicide.
By creating spaces for reflection and remembrance, we send a clear message that mental health matters and that seeking support is a sign of strength. I want to remind all colleagues that, if you are struggling, you are not alone and support is available whenever you need it from the trust and organisations like Doctors in Distress.
I’m pleased to share that phase two of our Mental Health Aware e-learning programme for managers and leaders launches on Monday 9 November.
This training will equip our leaders with the knowledge and confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling and provide the right support at the right time.”
Doctors in Distress’ Director of External Affairs and Policy, Susannah Basile says:
“We are grateful to staff at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust for their support of our National Memorial Tree Campaign. Each tree acts as a symbol of remembrance for all those healthcare workers who have died by suicide and a commitment from the Trust to protect the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.
“Together we can help to break down the stigma around mental health and help to prevent further suicides. If you are struggling, please do not keep quiet. Help is there via Doctors in Distress. You do not need to go through this alone.”
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the memorial trees a reality. With support from our executive team, Doctors in Distress, the Doctors’ Mess, Occupational Wellness, Pastoral Fellows, Estates and Facilities, Chaplains and the Friends of both hospitals, these special spaces will provide a place of comfort, reflection and remembrance for many years to come.
Mental health support
If you are struggling, please remember that you are not alone. Help and support is available right now if you need it.
- NHS 111
- Samaritans
Call 116 123 - Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Call 0800 58 58 58