Help Me, I’m Fine
1318. Helen Cousin
Helen Cousin, from Doncaster, founded ‘Help Me, I’m Fine’ which provides training courses in primary schools to help teachers identify children who are unhappy, worried or suicidal after her 16 year old daughter, Maisie, took her own life in 2017.
Helen has also published a book, ‘The Knot’, to help primary school children understand how to cope with their feelings, with all profits going back into the charity.
Helen’s award coincides with Time to Talk Day, the national day encouraging conversations and change behaviour and attitudes about mental health.
In a personal letter to Helen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of your strength after losing your daughter, Maisie, and how through ‘Help Me, I’m fine’, you are supporting the emotional health of children in primary schools.”
Helen said:
“It is an honour to be chosen for the Points of Light award, after losing my beautiful 16-year-old daughter, Maisie, to suicide in 2017, our lives were turned upside-down. Thanks to the support of my family, friends and our amazing community, I have been able to turn our tragedy into something that will hopefully encourage others to speak out about their mental health.
“In just over two years, ‘Help Me, I’m Fine’ has raised £35,000 to support schools with THRIVE approach training, giving our children the tools they need to self regulate and get through life’s difficult transitions.”