A CHOIR from Bournemouth has teamed with a Hampshire music producer to create a festive song for a suicide prevention TV advert.

Lorna Hackett, known as Lorna James in the music industry, wrote ‘Find Your Light’ for SOS Silence of Suicide, a free mental health helpline ran by volunteers.

The song, which was performed by Bournemouth’s Resonate! Choir, is now airing on Sky during the festive period.

The advert highlights how some people find Christmas difficult and encourages them to reach out for help.

Last October SOS Silence of Suicide took more than 8000 calls compared to 2700 the same month the previous year, with the rise expected to continue.  

Lorna is a barrister specialising in human rights and public law, and has been a trustee of the charity for more than four years.

Lorna said: “Mental health is an issue close to my heart having seen a family member experience mental health issues and also from working with prisoners, a lot of whom experience problems around mental health.

“It’s something that affects so many people and reducing the stigma and encouraging people to ask for help is so important.

“I was extremely pleased to write the song for the SOS alternative Christmas advert – it’s a time when a lot of people struggle, and the number of suicides increase significantly.

“There is an expectation for everyone to be in a great mood and excited at Christmas, but at the same time, it comes with an incredible amount of pressure and can leave people feeling exhausted and empty.

“It was important for me to create a song which gives a message of hope and shows that support is out there for those that need it.

“This is the first time I have worked with a choir, and it was a special moment to see my song performed by 60 people – many of whom themselves have been impacted by suicide in some way.

“I hope that the advert reaches some of those in need this Christmas and encourages them to reach out.”

More information and donations can be found on the SOS Silence of Suicide website.