Suicide Prevention Month: Uncle of tragic Bailey Lister urges people to end the stigma and speak out
The much loved and sorely missed young man was only 22 with his whole life in front of him.
September is Suicide Prevention Month - a dedicated time to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and share life-saving resources.
One man doing just that and using it as a platform to urge others to speak out is the uncle of tragic animal lover Bailey Lister who was only 22 when he took his own life in May following an online campaign of relentless bullying.
In the weeks leading up to his death he had suffered a relentless online campaign of bullying which friends claim lasted for months, with those closest to him insisting that the criticism escalated around the time Bailey was evicted from land in Hambleton which he used to run his charity Hugo's Small Animal Sanctuary.
However, Lancashire Police have since confirmed that Bailey was NOT being investigated for any wrongdoing.
His uncle Luke Lister has launched a petition to stamp out bullying and, in turn, save lives.
He said: “What happened to him (Bailey) didn't happen in a playground or in person — it happened online.
“He was subjected to sustained online bullying, and the cruelty he endured became too much for him to carry.
“That is the reality of online bullying. It doesn't stop when you log off. It follows you everywhere. It can make you feel isolated, worthless, and like there is no way out.”
He added: “This September, let’s honour Bailey’s memory and support one another.
“You are not alone. End the stigma. Start the conversation. Save Lives.”
If you would like to sign the petition which has already amassed over 1,000 signatures, click here
If you have been affected by online abuse and are struggling with your mental health, there are a number of free helplines available.
Here are some of the groups you can contact :
Samaritans: 116 123.
PAPYRUS: Suicide prevention charity - 0800 068 4141.
National Bullying Helpline - 0300 323 0169.