Grief-stricken by the loss of her 18-year-old daughter Robyn to suicide on Christmas Day 2023, Bairbre McKendrick, a Leeds City Council employee, courageously transforms her sorrow into a powerful mission to raise suicide awareness.
She will carry the symbolic Baton of Hope in Leeds on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, as part of a nationwide tour, aiming to shatter the stigma surrounding mental health and foster vital conversations and support services in the community.
What is the Baton of Hope and how is Leeds raising suicide awareness?
The Baton of Hope is a nationwide suicide prevention tour visiting 20 UK cities, including Leeds on World Suicide Prevention Day. Led by bereaved families like the McKendricks, the event aims to break stigma, encourage open mental health conversations, and connect people to vital support services in Leeds.
A Tragic Loss and a Mission for Change
On Christmas Day 2023, the lives of the McKendrick family were forever altered by the loss of 18-year-old Robyn to suicide. Her mother, Bairbre McKendrick, age 53 and a Leeds City Council employee, is now turning her grief into action. As she prepares to participate in the nationwide Baton of Hope suicide prevention tour, Bairbre has shared her family’s story in the hope that it will drive greater awareness about mental health struggles and encourage others to check in on those around them. The tour, which will visit 20 locations across the UK, aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding suicide, culminating in the Leeds leg on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day.
Bairbre, along with 84 other Leeds residents who have lost someone to suicide or been affected by it, has volunteered to carry the symbolic Baton of Hope. She emphasizes the importance of being vigilant to the signs of mental health struggles, even when they’re not outwardly visible. “We were obviously very aware but people can be too quick to make assumptions. Robyn was glamorous, had a social life. She was the first up dancing to the music. But she was ill. That saying ‘no one pretends to be depressed, people pretend to be ok’ is so true. That was Robyn. She was always pretending to be ok when in reality she wasn’t,” Bairbre shared.
The Baton of Hope tour is supported by Leeds City Council and local mental health organizations, such as Touchstone and Leeds Mind, who are working together to make Leeds a mentally healthy city. These groups are currently planning a day filled with events and activities to mark the baton’s journey through the city. The hope is to unite the community, raise awareness, and remember those lost to suicide.
Hidden Struggles Behind a Bright Persona
Robyn’s story underscores a critical issue: the hidden nature of mental health struggles, particularly among young people and those diagnosed with autism. Diagnosed at 16, Robyn faced significant challenges coping with the pressures of daily life, from academic expectations to social relationships and employment. “Robyn was diagnosed with autism at the end of year 11 when she was 16 and found it difficult to cope with daily life and its many pressures – through school, relationships, friendships and work – often masking her struggles to those around her.”
Research by UK charity Autistica reveals that autistic people are up to seven times more likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. The risk increases further for autistic individuals without intellectual disabilities and for autistic women. These startling statistics spotlight the urgent need for better support systems and awareness tailored to neurodiverse communities.
Robyn’s challenges didn’t end with her diagnosis. She had been hospitalized for mental health crises and, in the last months of her life, suffered the loss of a friend to suicide. Both personal struggles and bereavement by suicide are recognized risk factors, with evidence suggesting that those bereaved are nearly three times more likely to die by suicide themselves. These cumulative hardships deepened her mental health struggles and emphasize the ripple effect that suicide can have on families and communities.
The Baton of Hope Tour: Breaking the Stigma, Spreading Compassion
The Baton of Hope tour is more than a symbolic march – it is a call to action for the entire community. When the tour arrives in Leeds on World Suicide Prevention Day, it will be a visible demonstration of support for those affected by suicide. The event, coordinated by Leeds City Council and allies, aims to:
- Encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide
- Foster compassion and understanding in the community
- Provide information about available support services
Bairbre describes the Baton of Hope as both a personal tribute and a collective healing experience: “Coming together in such a public event is also a way to show people who don’t know about the scale of loss of lives to suicide. We need to break the stigma around mental health and show people that even though we cannot see their pain, we care and want to help. We will listen and try to find the right support and offer kindness and hope.”
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, expressed gratitude toward those sharing their stories: “Thank you to Bairbre for sharing her story and channelling her absolutely devastating experience into raising awareness and helping to break the stigma around suicide. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business – we all have a part to play in knowing the signs and checking in on all those around us.”
Reducing suicide and combating its stigma are high priorities for Leeds, as outlined in the city’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2030. Hosting the Baton of Hope tour is a key part of this ongoing commitment, aiming to spread a message of hope and solidarity throughout the city.
Community Support and Resources in Leeds
Leeds has developed a robust network of support for those affected by suicide, bereavement, or mental health challenges. The Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service offers tailored support for individuals and families dealing with loss, including one-to-one help, group sessions, and peer support. These services are designed to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery, emphasizing compassion and understanding.
The city’s mental health website, Mindwell, provides a comprehensive directory of resources, including helplines, counseling services, and crisis support. It also offers educational materials to help the public recognize warning signs and effectively support those who may be struggling. Up-to-date details on support services in Leeds can also be found at Suicide Prevention West Yorkshire.
As Leeds prepares to host the Baton of Hope tour, local organizations are working to ensure that the day is filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and remember. Details of the baton’s route and the day’s events will be released in the coming weeks, with the aim of encouraging widespread participation. Community members are encouraged to attend, support the cause, and access the services available if needed.
For further details and resources:
– Leeds Mind – Suicide Bereavement Services
– Baton of Hope Leeds 2025 information
– Mindwell Leeds
– Suicide Prevention West Yorkshire – Leeds Support
- Bairbre McKendrick, whose daughter died by suicide, is participating in the Baton of Hope tour to raise suicide awareness after her 18-year-old daughter Robyn’s death on Christmas Day 2023.
- The Baton of Hope is a nationwide suicide prevention tour visiting 20 UK cities, including Leeds on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10).
- Robyn McKendrick’s story highlights the hidden nature of mental health struggles, especially among young people and those with autism, who are at a significantly higher risk of suicide.
- The Baton of Hope tour aims to break the stigma around mental health, encourage open conversations, and connect people to vital support services.
- Leeds has a robust network of support for those affected by suicide, including the Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service and resources on Mindwell and Suicide Prevention West Yorkshire.