Thursday, the 10^th of September 2015 is World Suicide Prevention Day.

It is the perfect occasion to have a vigil to remember our loved ones and increase awareness of the problem. So, I set about choosing an appropriate venue for the same. I sent an e-mail to one of the Central London Parks, expressing our intention and requesting them for a spot. Here is the reply I got:

“Thank you for showing an interest in coming to ______ Park.

While the park manager fully supports your mission on a personal basis, he would not see it as something that fits within the park.  We aim to be an oasis and refuge from the world outside the park and do not consider that raising awareness of such a terrible issue is right for the park.  If you wish to meet on a personal basis and not promote awareness to park users who come here for other reasons then he could potentially consider a discrete gathering.  We’d not permit candles or music and you need to be aware the park is locked at 8pm in September.
Please let us know if you wish to proceed with the event along the lines outlined by the park manager.”

I completely respect their position on this. It does not surprise me. However, the words – ‘terrible’ and ‘discreet’ jumped out at me.

How much more ‘terrible’ does it have to get before we stop being ‘discreet’?

Now I am even more determined to make this happen.