STAK.life aiming to ‘change the narrative’ with support event on World Suicide Prevention Day

staklifemay — Tristan and Emma Kluibenschadl have hosted events and training under STAK.life in Stefan's memory

An event with local charities and support services will take place in Thanet on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10).

The STAK.life event has been organised by Emma and Tristan Kluibenschadl whose son Stefan who was just 15 when he ended his life after a failure by health services to provide appropriate help for him

Stefan, who was diagnosed with high functioning autism and severe dyslexia, was a kind boy with a great sense of humour who loved skateboarding, rock music and being outdoors.

But the Laleham Gap student became disillusioned with school during the pandemic when the one-to-one support he was receiving was reduced to remote contact and also felt forced to give up his part-time job due to issues after it was discovered that he attended a Special Educational Needs school.

Sadly, on 20 March 2022, Stefan was found ligatured in his bedroom. He died in hospital six days later.

His parents have since campaigned and advocated for better services and understanding and have raised money to provide creative, therapeutic services for neurodivergent young people in Thanet through not for profit social enterprise Stefan’s Acts of Kindness (Stak.life CIC).

In May, when Stefan would have turned 18, Emma and Tristan held a four-day art event and club night that raised a staggering £15,500 which has so far been used to pay for venues for training sessions in collaboration with local support groups.

Now the couple have organised an event to mark world suicide prevention day on September 10 with a host of support services in Thanet signed up to attend.

The aim of the day is for people to be able to access services if they have been affected by loss through suicide, or if they are worried about their own or someone else’s mental health or for those who want to help change the narrative so people can speak out about mental health and suicide.

Organisations involved include SpeakUp CIC, Thanet Safe Haven, Papyrus, Heart in the Community, CMK, Man Space and men’s sheds.

Emma said: “Anyone can come along and talk to us, access the services and find out more.

“We are going to have stone painting, which has been really powerful for us (with Stefan’s memory stones) for people who have lost someone to suicide or if they are worried about someone. We are also waiting to hear from Wyevale about some pots so we can plant Forget Me Nots, there will be cakes and tea and Southern Water are supplying bottled water.”

The event will take place at the Windmill Community Gardens Dane Valley) on September 10 from 3pm to 6pm.

Emma added: “We would love people to join us to raise awareness – survivors, those who are struggling and those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

“It is important that people can talk about suicide and bring the subject out of the dark and into the light. It is essential that people feel empowered to seek support and look after their mental health rather than suppress it and try and handle it alone which can sometimes lead to the very worst of outcomes.”

There are more sessions and events in the pipeline with Tristan speaking at a Kent and Medway suicide prevention conference in November, a Halloween costume ball and raffle fundraiser at the Broadstairs Pavilion on October 25 and more collaborative sessions with groups such as Westgate Youth Group and workshops and training for professionals.

Stak.life is also looking for a permanent venue to use for groups and therapeutic support and in May 2025 Academy FM Thanet will help organise a fundraiser at the Pavilion in Broadstairs in memory of Stefan, featuring a free day of music.

World Suicide Prevention Day

The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to action “Start the Conversation”. This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. World Suicide Prevention Day is held annually on September 10.

Research by the Samaritans shows suicide is the biggest killer of people under 35 years old.

More males die by suicides than females.

Males aged around 50 to 54 were found to have the highest suicide rate (23.1 per 100,000)

Autistic people are 28 times more likely to die by suicide than non Autistic people.