In a world of constant sadness and setbacks, it’s easy to think we can’t make a difference, but one teenager’s small act of kindness has already helped save multiple lives.
18-year-old Paige Hunter, who is from the UK, wanted to make people considering taking their own lives stop and think before doing something they couldn’t take back, so she decided to attach uplifting messages to a bridge.
The result? She’s already saved six lives.
Hunter tied more than 40 notes to Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge. These notes were meant to offer support to people facing a mental health crisis," Northumbria Police said in a news release.
One note says: "Even though things are difficult, your life matters; you're a shining light in a dark world, so just hold on."
This move, simple as it was, did big things, and was an "innovative way to reach out to those in a dark place,” says Northumbria Police Chief Superindependent Sarah Pitt.
Pitt told BBC it was important to encourage people to speak out about mental health problems, adding: "Paige has shown an incredible understanding of vulnerable people in need of support.
"For somebody so young, Paige has shown a real maturity and we thought it would only be right to thank her personally. She should be very proud of herself," said Pitt.
Hunter is a student at East Durham College and returned to the bridge this week, where she was presented with a framed certificate by Pitt commending her good deed.
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