Play focusing on suicide prevention tours schools in Hampshire
14 June 2023
A play which explores issues around mental health and suicide is touring schools in Hampshire.
Let’s Talk About Philip is a production written and performed by Helen Wood and Gregor Hunt. It shares the personal experience of losing a brother to suicide, and the many issues that surround suicide. It is currently touring the UK and has already been performed at Brighton Fringe.
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is running several events across Hampshire throughout the summer and autumn, where the play will be performed and followed up with workshops led by Hampshire CAMHS clinicians.
The event is the latest to focus on suicide prevention, following the installation of a giant rotating sand timer outside key locations in Hampshire over the last year, to reflect the number of times a young person loses their life to suicide.
Helen Dove, Innovations and Participation Lead at Hampshire CAMHS said:
"Suicide is a subject which is really important to talk about. The success of the sand timer tour has led to a lot more conversations being started this year.
"Let's Talk About Philip has been really well received in the schools it has been performed in so far. We've had feedback about how the issue of suicide was sensitively covered and potentially triggering situations were handled in such a manner that, even when it became more in depth, you never felt uneasy."
The play is still to be performed in New Milton in June, Yateley in July, Basingstoke, Winchester and Fareham in October and Aldershot in November with a mixture of student and public viewings.
This event is suitable for young people in years 10, 11 and sixth form. Spaces at the daytime performances are limited and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The morning performances are for students and the evening performances are suitable for the general public and professionals.
Tickets cost £3 per person and can be bought here: https://
A full list of upcoming dates and locations for Let's Talk About Philip:
- 29 June: New Milton Arts Centre, Old Milton Road, New Milton, BH25 6DS
- 19 July: Yateley College, School Lane, Yateley, GU46 6NW
- 10 October: Brighton Hill Community College, Brighton Way, Basingstoke, RG22 4HS
- 11 October: Theatre Royal, Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB
- 19 October: Ashcroft Arts Centre, Osborn Road, Fareham, PO16 7DX
- 2 November: West End Centre, 48 Queens Road, Aldershot, GU11 3JD