A talented nurse's novel puts the issue of suicide in the spotlight in the run-up to World Suicide Prevention Day.
On Saturday, September 10, people around the world will be talking about the subject of suicide with this year's theme being 'Creating Hope Through Action'. Suicide is at the forefront of the latest fictional book by Hartlepool nurse, Jenny Hutchinson as it explores the hardships of mental health.
The 52-year-old wrote 'Mint' under the pseudonym Cher Graiden, as a result of losing those around her to suicide over lockdown, working closely with people who have experience in the area to ensure her story was accurate.She writes as a hobby alongside her role as a community district nursing sister at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust but labels writing as 'the dream'. Described as a 'gritty romance novel about loss and love', Mint tells the story of Charlotte who, going through hard times herself, has a chance meeting with a man contemplating suicide on the top floor of a building.
Jenny said: "I write as a hobby and during lockdown there was a high number of suicides amongst family and friends. It was a difficult time for everyone and it became a choice of novel for me. Mental health services are so important but I also wanted to highlight the significance of talking things through with those around you."
Earlier this year Jenny won a local Nurse of the Year award for Mint after being nominated by multiple people – including someone whose brother died from suicide. She said: "I was honoured to even be nominated for an award, let alone win. I was absolutely flabbergasted.