A bereaved mother hopes to establish a new women's mental health support group.

Jayne Walsham lost her 23-year-old daughter Jodi to suicide in January 2021 and hopes the group will support those who need it.

Jayne, who lives in Humshaugh, said if the group takes off in the village, it could move to Hexham and further afield. 

The first meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday (January 31).

"It's going to be very informal, there's no pressure on people to talk. We're going to book a room in the village hall and see who turns up," she said. 

Hexham Courant: The Baton Of Hope UK tour at Downing Street, of which Jayne was the project lead for the Newcastle leg The Baton Of Hope UK tour at Downing Street, of which Jayne was the project lead for the Newcastle leg (Image: Supplied)

"I think we need more support groups for women as there's plenty for men and more women attempt suicide than men, although more men take their own life. 

"Where mental health is concerned, talking to people can be very beneficial and you may discover someone living down the road from you is struggling as well.

"I've found, within my grief of losing a daughter, talking to others who've lost people to suicide helps me greatly."

Jodi, who went to Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 2018, where she studied community drama and applied theatre.

Since Jodi's death, Jayne has been involved in other forms of mental health support, including being the project lead for the Newcastle leg of the Baton of Hope UK, which completed a 12-day tour of 12 cities in 2023.

The tour brought more than 1,000 people together who had been bereaved by suicide and was the largest suicide prevention and awareness initiative the UK has ever seen.

"We need to squash the stigma which surrounds mental health and suicide because that's what stops people talking. It's been like that for decades," Jayne said.

"There's not as much help for mental health in rural areas because the help goes to cities, so it's sometimes difficult for people to get there and find these groups. My idea is to open it up locally around here," she said.

"I can see a difference in the three years since I lost Jodi with people opening up about their mental health and that's what we need, in rural areas and in cities, and not feel they have to suffer in silence."

For more information, email Jayne at walshamjayne@gmail.com or phone 01434 681658.

Contact Samaritans for free any time on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.