# Pt 1: The Suicide Prevention Project That’s Sent 3.5 Million Letters | Ben West

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stompcast-5575398/pt-1-the-suicide-prevention-project-that-s-sent-3-5-million-letters-ben-west
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/stompcast-5575398/pt-1-the-suicide-prevention-project-that-s-sent-3-5-million-letters-ben-west.md
Podcast: [Figuring It Out](https://stenobird.com/podcast/stompcast-5575398)
Published: 2026-06-15T00:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/stompcast/episodes/pt-1-the-suicide-prevention-project-thats-sent-35-million-le
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/64c105ce6e0909001188b2c1/e/6a2bbf3a57a3c029dacbbbe0/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stompcast-5575398/episodes/pt-1-the-suicide-prevention-project-that-s-sent-3-5-million-letters-ben-west
Duration seconds: 1933

## Resource

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness. Ben West is a mental health campaigner, who became an activist after losing his 15 year old brother, Sam, to suicide in 2018. Earlier this year, Ben launched the incredible Reasons to Stay project, a suicide prevention website where anyone in the world can write a letter to someone thinking about suicide. In part one, Ben joins Dr Alex George to discuss the extraordinary impact of Reasons to Stay, and how the project grew from a £16 web domain into a lifeline which has sent over 3.5 million letters to people struggling around the world. Plus, Ben also shares some of the powerful real-life stories that have emerged from the project and explores practical ways we can better support those who may be facing difficult times. Resources: Samaritans Shout CALM Papyrus Follow @iambenwest , check out his incredible project Reasons to Stay , and pre-order his latest book Reasons to Stay: Lessons of Hope from a World that Cares .  (By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org ’s fees help support independent bookshops too!) Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now!  Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle : the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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