‘Stay: Your Story Isn’t Over’: The powerful Havering film sharing stories of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day

11th September 202611th September 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Film, Havering Council, Saty, World Suicide Prention Day min read

A powerful new film featuring the lived experiences of Havering residents affected by suicide has been launched in Romford, with a deeply moving message at its heart: “Stay. Your story isn’t over.”

The Stories of Hope event took place at Lumiere Cinema in Mercury Mall, Romford, on Thursday 10 September to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

It was an afternoon that brought the local community together to listen to real stories of courage, survival, pain and hope.

At the centre of the event was the premiere of a new short film, Stay: Your Story Isn’t Over. Stories of hope from lived experiences.

Produced by Lloyd Franklin from Havering Adult College, the film was created in partnership with five people with lived experience of suicide.

Gary Hayes from PTSD 999, Anna Bending, Craig Cauchi and Mandie Durrant were among those who bravely shared their experiences as part of the project.

The film aims to offer hope, challenge the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage people across Havering to have open and honest conversations about suicide and mental health.

And for those who attended the screening, the afternoon was about far more than simply watching a film.

It was about people coming together.

It was about listening.

And it was about giving a voice to experiences that are often hidden behind silence.

Following the screening, members of the group took part in a question and answer session, speaking openly about their experiences and why they had chosen to take part in the project.

For anyone who has experienced suicidal thoughts, lost someone to suicide or supported somebody through the darkest moments of their life, these conversations can be incredibly important.

A five year plan to help prevent suicide in Havering

The Stories of Hope film is not a standalone project. It forms part of Havering Council’s wider commitment to suicide prevention and is one of the actions within the Council’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025 to 2030.

The five year strategy sets out the Council’s approach to reducing deaths by suicide and improving support for people across the borough.

It focuses on identifying people who may be at increased risk, delivering interventions to raise awareness and reduce stigma, and making sure that people affected by suicide, including those who have been bereaved, can access the support they need.

A key part of the strategy is recognising that suicide prevention cannot simply be about what happens when somebody reaches crisis point.

It is also about awareness, early intervention, conversations, support and creating an environment where people feel able to say that they are struggling.

That is why reducing stigma is such an important part of the five year plan.

The Council’s strategy recognises the importance of working with communities and partners to encourage people to talk about suicide and mental health, while ensuring that support is available for those who need it.

Suicide remains a significant public health issue in Havering.

Over the past decade, there have been an average of 19 deaths by suicide each year, equivalent to approximately one death every three weeks.

But behind every one of those numbers is a person.

A family.

Friends.

Colleagues.

And a community left to deal with the devastating impact of a death.

That is why the message behind Stories of Hope is so important.

Samantha Westrop, Assistant Director of Public Health at Havering Council, said:

“Stigma reduction is a key tool in our public health suicide prevention strategy and talking about suicide saves lives.

“Our event amplifies the voices of Havering residents with lived experience of suicide to encourage those who need support to access it.”

Councillor Graham Day, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adults, also stressed the importance of ensuring residents know that support is available.

He said:

“Death by suicide can be prevented and we want residents to know help and support is available.”

He added:

“We hope this short film will serve as an inspiration to many and that it will help to save lives. By sharing these stories, we hope to encourage open conversations and reduce stigma.

“It is important that we are able to talk to the people we care about when they may need a chat and support. If this film encourages just one person to seek help, or one friend, family member or colleague to start a conversation, it will have made a difference.”

Those words perhaps capture the heart of what Stories of Hope is trying to achieve.

It is not simply about talking about suicide.

It is about making it possible for people to talk about suicide.

For somebody who may be struggling in silence, hearing another person speak openly about their own experience can be a powerful reminder that they are not alone.

For a friend, family member or colleague, it may provide the confidence to ask a simple question.

“Are you okay?”

Sometimes, that conversation can be the beginning of somebody getting the support they need.

The film premiered at Lumiere Cinema in Mercury Mall, Romford, on Thursday 10 September 2026, with two free public screening sessions arranged for World Suicide Prevention Day.

The afternoon screening ran from 2pm to 5pm, followed by an early evening screening from 5pm to 6.30pm.

Residents can also watch the film’s trailer online.

Watch the Stories of Hope trailer

The courage of those involved in the film should not be underestimated.

Sharing personal experiences of suicide publicly can be incredibly difficult, but the people behind Stories of Hope have chosen to speak because they hope their experiences can help somebody else.

Their stories could reach someone who is struggling today.

Someone who may feel that nobody understands.

Someone who may believe there is no way forward.

The message from those who have shared their experiences is simple.

Stay.

Your story isn’t over.

The event also highlighted the importance of community.

Residents came together at the cinema not just to watch the film, but to listen and understand.

It was a very moving afternoon, and one which demonstrated why breaking down the stigma surrounding suicide remains so important.

World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity to remember those who have died, but it is also an opportunity to reach out to those who are still here.

It is about encouraging people to speak.

And encouraging others to listen.

It is about reminding people that asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

The Stories of Hope project is part of a much bigger five year commitment to ensuring suicide prevention remains a priority across Havering between 2025 and 2030.

And perhaps its greatest message is one that can be remembered long after the cinema lights have gone out.

Stay.

Your story isn’t over.