The Prince of Wales has urged more men to talk about their mental health as he opened a new centre in Birmingham, working to help prevent male suicides.
Prince William officially opened James’ Place Birmingham, in Edgbaston, which is designed to offer “rapid, professional therapy to men that addresses the root causes of suicidal crisis”.
Speaking at the centre today (Monday 11 May), the Prince said he hoped the charity would be able to open more facilities around the country.
The Prince has previously opened the charity’s centres in Liverpool, London and Newcastle.
He said: “The team here are fantastic.
“I hope we can get more of you around the UK, because it is in need of it sadly.
“We need to talk more about suicide, talk more about preventing it and talk about getting it to young men and women earlier, so we don’t have to have these centres in the very long run.
“That is the aim.”
The Prince of Wales at the official opening of James’ Place Birmingham Credit: Eammon McCormack/PA
The charity was founded by the parents of James Wentworth-Stanley, aged 21, who took his own life nearly 20 years ago.
James died 10 days after a minor operation, having been unable to access the urgent support he needed for severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
His parents wanted to help prevent other families from losing the men they love.
Former service-user Ben Brand, who travelled from Bedford for the Prince’s visit, said: “It allows people to get access to the help they need very, very quickly.
“From my experience, it was less than 48 hours before sending a referral in and being in crisis to actually being sat in front of therapist. I then subsequently had eight sessions after that, every week.
“You couldn’t get that service elsewhere and as far as I’m aware, it’s the only place that could get you that quality of care that quickly, which is just vital, crucial, really.
“There’s a massive need for it, and being able to get people in the door that quickly, and get them help that quickly – that is the life-saving part.”
Marcus Davies, a former service-user said the Prince of Wales’ visit could help inform more men in crisis about the charity. Credit: PA Images
Marcus Davies, another former service-user and a trustee at the charity, added: “It was rapid, it gave me what I needed when I needed it. I didn’t have to wait on a waiting list.
“I’m confident enough to say that I wouldn’t be here had I not had the intervention when I had it.”
Mr Davies said the Prince of Wales’ visit could help inform more men in crisis about the charity.
He said: “I think for that publicity, his reach and the audience that he can reach through his status and who he is, I think that’s just critical to getting that message far and wide.
“I had never heard of James’s Place prior to my GP referring me. It’s so important that men know that it is there and available as a service to help those that need it.
“The more far and wide that message can be delivered, the better – and he has the scope to be able to do that.”
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