Ben, 19, takes steps to cut suicide risks
AFTER the loss of brother Sam, 15, to suicide, Ben West, pledged to campaign for better diagnosis, treatment and support for depression, suicide and mental health issues.
The aerospace engineering student, 19, from London, urges young men to open up about their problems and smash restrictive stereotypes such as “boys don’t cry”.
Inspired by Duke Of Edinburgh trips in the country, he set up Project #WalkToTalk, an initiative which helps organise walks around the UK and encourages conversation about mental health.
“You don’t do these things to get an award,” Ben said. “You do it to help one person. It’s an incredible feeling when it spirals and it almost feel surreal.
“It’s a bonus in my eyes to have this award and the exposure from the award is leverage to reach more people. It’s an incredible feeling.”
Ben launched a Save Our Students petition to make mental health first aid a compulsory part of teacher training, and has gained over 210,500 signatures.