Nairn fundraiser for Mikeysline set to take place next month.
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A fundraising night is to be held in memory of those who have taken their own life and to raise support for others in a bid to avoid similar outcomes.
The event next month will be raising money for Mikeysline mental well-being charity.
It comes after a string of suicides in communities around Nairnshire just prior to the pandemic and the first lockdown.
Organisers hope to bring together friends and families of those that have been lost in a night of reflection.
But they also hope to educate others about the help that is available – such as Mikeysline's various support methods.
The charity offers a textline and has expanded its reach using Messenger, Webchat, Twitter and WhatsApp as well mas number of in-person support centres.
Capacity for textline and call-back services have tripled recently and an additional young persons’ service was launched in 2021, working specifically with secondary school age youngsters.
The charity was set-up in 2015 following several suicides across the Highlands.
Event organiser Jennifer MacKee (46) has put together a team to make the night at Nairn Dunbar Golf Course on May 7 one to remember.
Jennifer, a mum of three, said: “Just before Covid hit, I made a call for help to Mikeysline about someone in my family I had deep concerns about and who was struggling immensely.
“Also around this time, several young men in the community, sadly took their own lives leaving their family, friends and the community devastated and heart-broken.
“I remember that fear of not knowing how best to support someone so close to me.
“I felt utterly lost.
“I feel its important to know exactly where that support can be found.
“We need to be talking more, raising awareness and making it OK to not be OK.
“We need to bring organisations like Mikeysline to the fore front and help them to help the people who need it.”
There will be a DJ, buffet and raffle as well as a guest speaker from the charity – all of which have been donated from the Nairn community in a show of support.
Jennifer said: “It's not big, it's not fancy, it's just the community coming together to raise awareness, bring Mikeysline into people's minds and raise cash to help them continue the amazing job they do.”
Mikeysline chief executive officer, Emily Stokes, said: "We are extremely grateful and thankful to Jennifer and indeed the wider Nairn community for keeping mental health and suicide awareness and the support available through Mikeysline high on the agenda.
"Not only do fundraisers such as the one planned at the Nairn Dunbar Golf Course raise vital funds for our work, but also raise crucial awareness of the support that we can provide when people need it.
"May also marks mental health awareness week from May 10 to 16 and we would encourage everyone to use the opportunity to talk openly about mental health in our communities and how to access support."
