Inspiring Hope: Sunrise and Suicide Prevention

For Frances Vigay, who has lost many friends and family to suicide, watching the sunrise every day has been an anchor point in her life.   For 365 days in 2023, she watched and photographed the sunrise, in order to raise awareness of the charity, Grassroots Suicide Prevention About Grassroots Suicide Prevention - Grassroots Suicide Prevention (prevent-suicide.org.uk).  Grassroots Suicide Prevention, founded in the UK, strives to provide education and support for people struggling with mental health issues.   

Throughout the year, Vigay shared her sunrise photos on her Facebook page to inspire others.  She watched her 365th dawn of 2023 near her home in Portsmouth, UK. 

Her challenge was to not miss one sunrise for an entire year – regardless of weather or travel home for the holidays to Dorset and Devon, England.

Vigay describes sunrise as a time when the world is “golden and beautiful”.

"I began each day in beauty - whatever happens in my life, whatever else in the world, I'd be here for the sunrise," she said.  "It feels like the sunrise is a metaphor for the light returning. The dark of the night is often the hardest time if someone is feeling depressed.

You can get through the darkness - it is a symbol of hope.”

Grassroots Suicide Prevention has developed the award-winning “Stay Alive” app, a free app that contains everything from a plan to keep one safe from suicide to life-affirming photos and videos .  To learn more, visit Stay Alive resources - Grassroots Suicide Prevention (prevent-suicide.org.uk).