In a heartfelt tribute to Danny Cram, a young skater from Jersey who tragically took his own life at the age of 25 in December, a new foundation has been established. The Danny Cram Foundation, fueled by nearly £13,000 in donations, aims to provide vital mental health support for young adults on the island. This initiative seeks to fill a significant gap in local resources and extend help to both individuals and their families.
Danny Cram's struggle with mental health has highlighted the pressing need for better support systems in Jersey. Eddie da Rocha, a close friend of Danny, played an instrumental role in setting up the fundraising efforts for the foundation. In collaboration with Skateboard Jersey (SJ) and the Ben Raemers Foundation, the Danny Cram Foundation plans to offer first aid suicide training and education on understanding and discussing suicide.
Phil Minty, reflecting on the situation, expressed concern about the inadequacy of mental health resources available to young adults in Jersey.
"You just realise that Jersey doesn't have the tools required to help young adults with mental health problems." – Phil Minty
Statistics underscore this issue, as three-quarters of suicides in Jersey involve men, and between 2018-2020, there were 9.3 deaths per 100,000 people due to suicide. This figure is slightly lower than England's rate of 10.4 per 100,000 during the same period. Despite these figures, there remains a strong need for comprehensive mental health support systems.
Susie Crome, co-founder of the Ben Raemers Foundation—a UK charity established after the suicide of professional skater Ben Raemers in 2019—is planning to visit Jersey. Her goal is to assist the local skating community by contributing her expertise and perspective on building effective support systems.
"It's about recognising what support systems people have already got and how we can build on those but also it's devastating that it had to come from a tragic loss." – Susie Crome
Danny's friends remember him fondly as "the most unique character, very outgoing" and "a kind and courageous soul." Eddie da Rocha shared his sentiments about Danny's compassionate nature.
"Danny liked helping others more than himself." – Eddie da Rocha
The foundation's efforts are timely as the Jersey government is expected to unveil its Suicide Prevention Strategy by the end of the first quarter this year. This strategy could potentially align with the foundation's goals, creating a more supportive environment for those struggling with mental health issues.
Leave a Reply