For many the death of Queen Elizabeth II creates a deep sense of loss and adds to an already stressful and anxious time with Ukraine and the cost of living crises. We're therefore proud to profile one of SKOOT’s newest Climate Conscious partners R;pple Suicide Prevention, and Alice Hendy, Founder and CEO, on World Suicide Prevention Day. A company who are doing such inspiring work to offer support.
Why Did You Set-up R;pple?
I sadly lost my brother Josh, on 25th November 2020 to suicide at 21 years old. He had been researching techniques to take his own life via harmful internet searches and I wanted to ensure more help and support is given to individuals searching for harmful content online, as I believe that there is a very good chance Josh would still be with us today if R;pple had existed in 2020.
What is R;pple?
R;pple is a digital tool, which if a user searches for harmful content online, they will first be guided through a filter of breathing exercises and then very simple, uncluttered and calmly presented strategies and forums, help lines and mental health services they can access both now and longer term: accompanied with messages of hope and encouragement to keep safe.
It’s a free tool for the education sector and parents.
How do you work with SKOOT?
R;pple have signed up to SKOOT to ensure we are offsetting our carbon footprint and making a positive difference to the environment. Each month, we donate a proportion of our funds to plant trees in order to protect our planet and become carbon neutral.
Why being sustainable is important to you and the company?
Human well-being and the well-being of society is part and parcel of what sustainability stands for. Ensuring that human beings have access to basic resources, that their health is being protected, and that they enjoy a good quality of life within a sustainable environment is critical, and that’s what we stand for at the heart of R;pple Suicide Prevention.
What Ripple is focussed on over the coming weeks?
With World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September we’re we’re calling on businesses to put mental health on a par with fire-safety as 1 in 4 employees admit to experiencing suicidal thoughts at work and it needs to be entrenched into their existing health & safety policies.
1 in 4 employees admit to experiencing suicidal thoughts at work
Whilst fire drills and marshals are common practice for workplaces, and Fire Action signs having been a legal requirement since 2007, the UK, unlike many other countries, does not monitor, investigate, regulate, or legally recognise work-related suicides – with a person 62 times more likely to die from suicide (1 in 88) than in a fire (1 in 5,447).
Best (or maybe most challenging) part of your role?
The best part of my role by far is when someone approaches me directly to tell me how R;pple has helped them. Sometimes it’s to tell me that they have since started receiving mental health support, other times R;pple has simply provided that person with an opportunity to talk about how they are feeling. It’s those comments that keep me going each day and give me the drive, energy and determination to develop and progress R;pple as far as I can.
How has R;pple grown?
To date, R;pple has been downloaded over 850,000 times, (free for schools, colleges, universities, parents, carers and charities, fee required from businesses
R;pple has intercepted over 4,500 genuine harmful online searches and 24 individuals have approached me to inform me that R;pple has saved their life.
R;pple has won 17 prestigious awards in the mental health and innovation space
How can people download and support R;pple?
- Download R;pple on Chrome / Edge / Firefox /Opera
- Encourage schools, colleges, universities and parents to download R;pple for FREE on every one of their machines
- Approach the wellbeing team within your workplace and tell them about R;pple. This video (and our FAQ) tells you everything you need to know.