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World Mental Health Day 2019 – Sun award winner meets Boris Johnson to get mental health first aid compulsory part of teacher training
A TEENAGER who lost his brother to suicide is calling on the Government to make mental health first aid a compulsory part of teacher training.
Ben West met Boris Johnson at The Sun's health awards on Tuesday - and today the PM greeted the 19-year-old on the steps of 10 Downing Street, to receive his Save Our Students petition
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Ben, who won the Mental Health Hero award, said it was "surreal" entering No 10 on World Mental Health Day, but added it was a very proud moment for his family.
The aerospace engineering student, from Staplehurst, Kent, lost his 15-year-old brother Sam to suicide in January last year and has been campaigning to raise awareness of mental health ever since.
Ben told The Sun: "No one should ever have to experience the loss and confusion of losing someone to suicide.
"I hope that this petition will save at least one family the awful pain I've had to face.
"After a bit of research, I found that staff in schools are generally not equipped to deal with problems faced by some students, because they don't have the knowledge to do so.
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"That's why I'm calling on the Government to train teachers in mental health first aid so that they have the tools and knowledge available to help if they do feel they should step in and start a conversation.
"There are so many teachers who are capable of dealing with physical medical emergencies.
"It's about time the same can be said for mental health as well.
"Around 75 per cent of mental health conditions are developed before the age of 24, so school has a vital part to play in protecting students."
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Four school children lose their lives to suicide every week and rates of depression and anxiety have risen by 70 per cent in the last 25 years.
After handing his petition yesterday, Ben said: "Boris received the petition personally and we had a chat about mental health in schools.
"He was very supportive about what we are trying to do. I then met with one of his policy advisers for education and I'm feeling really positive that we can get this into action.
"I miss Sam every day, I think he'd be really proud of what we've achieved here today."
There are so many teachers who capable of dealing with physical medical emergencies. It's about time the same can be said for mental health as well
Ben West
Ben was invited to 10 Downing Street by the PM after meeting Boris at The Sun's Who Cares Wins health awards, and Boris was so impressed with his campaign work.
Ben's Project Walk To Talk has raised £15,000 for mental health charities, and a foundation has been set up in his late brother's name.
Ben, who received his Mental Health Hero award from Health Secretary Matt Hancock, said: "I chatted to him about the project Walk To Talk and our petition to get mental-health first aid taught in schools.
"He was nodding and said it was some-thing he was keen to work on.
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"We are now hoping to get the petition debated in Parliament.
"I want to make this a reality. Hopefully with Boris’ backing, that is something we can achieve."
Ben’s brother Sam was found hanging in January 2018 after suffering depression.
Ben tried to revive him while mum Michelle called an ambulance. But sadly Sam died.
Ben said: "I didn’t know he’d been diagnosed with depression.
"He only told my mum. Sam worried about being judged. It shouldn’t be like this."
Ben was nominated for the Who Cares Wins award by pal Sebastian Yeandle, part of the WalkToTalk team.
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More on World Mental Health Day
Ben said: “I hope Sam would be proud. It’s good to know we’re helping people and being recognised for it.”
And he added: "I want to thank The Sun for making me smile again."
The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign last year to remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
Anyone can be affected by suicide, and we can all do our bit to help.
You can follow Ben and track his campaigning on his Instagram
Boris Johnson thanks NHS staff at The Sun’s 2019 health awards
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