Hector's House

It is our mission to prevent suicide by ensuring everyone has access to the mental health services, and to encourage people to talk openly about how they feel through education, awareness and support. Together, we hope to end suicide.

Our vision is to help everyone get access to the mental health support they need and deserve and to ensure people know suicide isn’t their only option. We aim to do this through Education, Awareness and Support; by making it easier to recognise the symptoms of suicidal behaviour, educating young people on how to stay well and improve access to the mental health support available to those who are struggling. Hector's House provide suicide alertness training, visit local schools to deliver well-being presentations, we spread the word on mental health organisations through our social media and website, we host free men's well-being groups and meditation evenings and we support beneficiaries through listening, signposting and - in high risk situations, offer therapy sessions.

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Here’s how £1000 raised helps people within our communities of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire:

• Provides 5 School talks -  helping our young people understand their feelings and destigmatises reaching out. We believe that teaching people at a young age about healthy eating, exercise and being open about their feelings, will help prevent suicide and encourage a generation to reach out for help.

"I think it was one of the most interesting and relevant presentations our school has offered us. I could tell Robert was genuinely passionate about what he was talking about. I also think sharing such a personal story was very brave and admirable of him, and it made the presentation very authentic. I think it was super important and beneficial because so many people, and especially teens, struggle with their mental health and could really do with the advice and offer of support that we were given. Many of my friends, myself included, have seriously struggled or are still really struggling mentally, and multiple people I know have self-harmed, attempted suicide or are thinking of suicide. To me, it’s really scary and we need all the help we can get."

• Provides 20 hours of talking therapy. A qualified therapist can listen and provide that person with the tools and techniques to help them manage their emotions, making it easier for them to navigate life's struggles.

"After the tragic loss of my brother to suicide, the ability to access a service as compassionate and effective as Hector's house, was invaluable. I was apprehensive about seeking therapy, as I had seen it fail with my brother and had no idea what to expect. I was happily surprised and have now come through some of the darkest parts of grief. Therapy would have been cost prohibited to me and many others, and I feel that this charity does a vital public service, not provided anywhere else."

• Provides 45 hours of listening support and signposting, ensuring that the person reaching out to us gets the support they need and deserve, and if necessary, we will create an assessment of need (often via a phone or zoom call) and make an individualised safety plan to ensure that person's immediate safety. We will be with them every step of the way.
• Provides 10 Hector’s Gentleman’s Club sessions reaching men over the age of 18 who are struggling with their mental health. HGMC is a safe space for men in the area to come together once a month to try new activities, meet new people and have a safe space to be themselves.

"Just to share difficulties is a good feeling. To be listened to is great. Not to be judged. To be taken seriously. To learn from others’ experiences can help. Maybe the activity is the draw to get men there, but my feeling is ‘the chat’ could help massively".

• Provides 7 Hec Talk sessions where men come together and talk. A place free of judgement, and free of any pressure to “fix” and a confidential space for men to take a small but powerful action for their mental fitness.

Hectors House receive no government support or steady income - so heavily rely on the generosity of our community to help keep their services open.

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Your support has saved lives - and for that, we cannot thank you enough

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