Pips Suicide Prevention Ireland

Taking the leap!

Jim Smyth

Jim Smyth

My Story

Hi everyone,
31 May 2026 I will be doing a skydive from 15,000ft! It's an incredibly daunting challenge, but I'm doing it for a very worthy cause: PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity.
 
Recently, I have personally experienced mental health issues and It made me realise just how many people in Northern Ireland are fighting their own silent battles every day.
 
Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of background. The legacy of conflict and other factors mean Northern Ireland has a higher prevalence of mental illness than the rest of the UK. This makes the work PIPS does even more crucial.
PIPS offers life-saving crisis support, counselling, and therapies to individuals who are considering or have considered ending their lives, as well as support for families
bereaved by suicide. What makes them so vital is their open-door policy, meaning no one has to wait weeks or months for an appointment; help is available immediately when a person walks through their doors.
 
They rely solely on public donations, receiving no government funding.
I want my skydive to achieve two things:
  1. Raise vital funds so PIPS can continue providing immediate, compassionate support to those in crisis. Every donation helps fund counselling sessions and essential services.
  2. Raise awareness and break the stigmaaround mental health. By sharing my own experience and taking this leap of faith, I hope to show that it's okay to struggle, and it's okay to ask for help.
For me, the skydive symbolises taking action, much like seeking support for mental health can feel like a huge, scary step. If I can take this leap, I can keep fighting my own mental health battles and help others find the strength to face theirs.
Your support would mean the world to me. Please consider donating, no matter how small the amount. You will be making a tangible difference in someone's life, helping to ensure that no one has to face their struggles alone.
Thank you for reading my story and for your support. Together, we can make a difference.
You can donate via my [JustGiving page] or directly via the PIPS website if you prefer.
 

 

102%

Funded

  • Target
    £1,500
  • Raised so far
    £1,528
  • Number of donors
    38

My Story

Hi everyone,
31 May 2026 I will be doing a skydive from 15,000ft! It's an incredibly daunting challenge, but I'm doing it for a very worthy cause: PIPS Suicide Prevention Charity.
 
Recently, I have personally experienced mental health issues and It made me realise just how many people in Northern Ireland are fighting their own silent battles every day.
 
Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of background. The legacy of conflict and other factors mean Northern Ireland has a higher prevalence of mental illness than the rest of the UK. This makes the work PIPS does even more crucial.
PIPS offers life-saving crisis support, counselling, and therapies to individuals who are considering or have considered ending their lives, as well as support for families
bereaved by suicide. What makes them so vital is their open-door policy, meaning no one has to wait weeks or months for an appointment; help is available immediately when a person walks through their doors.
 
They rely solely on public donations, receiving no government funding.
I want my skydive to achieve two things:
  1. Raise vital funds so PIPS can continue providing immediate, compassionate support to those in crisis. Every donation helps fund counselling sessions and essential services.
  2. Raise awareness and break the stigmaaround mental health. By sharing my own experience and taking this leap of faith, I hope to show that it's okay to struggle, and it's okay to ask for help.
For me, the skydive symbolises taking action, much like seeking support for mental health can feel like a huge, scary step. If I can take this leap, I can keep fighting my own mental health battles and help others find the strength to face theirs.
Your support would mean the world to me. Please consider donating, no matter how small the amount. You will be making a tangible difference in someone's life, helping to ensure that no one has to face their struggles alone.
Thank you for reading my story and for your support. Together, we can make a difference.
You can donate via my [JustGiving page] or directly via the PIPS website if you prefer.
 

 

Jim Smyth is fundraising towards