In crisis?

Letters of hope offering support at times of distress

A young man reads a handwritten letter next to a bulletin board filled with

People who have faced mental health challenges or supported loved ones in crisis have written letters of hope to offer comfort and support to others who are struggling with difficult circumstances or suicidal thoughts.

The Words of Hope project was set up by a small team of lived experience ambassadors at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust who have personal experience of mental health services.

They were inspired by similar projects around the world which aim to bring hope and reassurance to people at times of distress.

People who use the Trust’s services, their families and carers, and staff have been invited to write anonymous supportive messages.

These will be given to people who are admitted for care to the Trust’s inpatient or community mental health services, and to their families and carers.

Lived Experience Ambassador Simon Cross said: “Words of Hope is something we deeply care about.

“When people are going through really difficult times in their lives, they need to know that peers and supporters genuinely care, and that survival is not simply about the moment but about enduring support and love on the darkest of days.”

Matthew Sisto, Director of Patient Experience and Participation, said: “Words of Hope is a deeply personal and heartfelt project and I’m very grateful to everyone who is taking the time to write a letter to help others.

“Only those who have been through incredibly difficult times can truly know what it’s like, and the letters are a way of reaching out to others to let them know they are not alone, there is hope, and people who care.”

The project will remain ongoing for people to submit letters, quotes, poems or pictures, as a reminder they are not alone.

About EPUT:

  • EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
  • The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
  • While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
    • Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
    • People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
    • A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
  • EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk.  We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.