A LOCAL who lost his brother to suicide has been motivated to ensure that no-one in the town experiences the same loss - and after years of work is now hosting a public event he hopes will inspire people in what is one of the most difficult seasons of the year.

As ‘Blue Monday’ approaches, many across the country are struggling with their mental health.

Government data shows a spike in suicide rates last January, with 12.7 per 100,000 people taking their own life that month, compared with 10.1 the month prior and 9.6 in February.

However Tom Dickinson, whose brother Liam died from suicide in 2015, is working hard to ensure that this year those trends change.

After starting a motivational speaking and mental health support company in 2019, called Tom’s Talks - which has seen him visit schools and business to open up discussions about mental health problems - Tom is now ready to host his first public event on January 18 at the Metrodome.

Tom will be joined by three other speakers who will lead a series of motivational talks with advice on handling mental health struggles, all to spread the message that ‘it’s okay not to be okay’.

The 29-year-old, from Penistone, told the Chronicle: “I’ve tried to turn a negative into something positive with my public speaking.

“It sees me discuss ways to improve people’s mental health through building routines and changing ways people use things like social media and the internet which are adding new pressures to people’s lives - we’re also challenging the stigmas around mental health.

“Life can be difficult and tough but if you have the right mindset you can get through those challenges.

“Hopefully these talks will give people the tools they need to make 2025 the best year of their life.”