Mike Palmer of ‘3 Dads Walking’ is a father bereaved by suicide.
His beloved daughter, Beth took her own life in 2020 at the age of just 17.
Mike is co-author of Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope. The book is a
powerful and deeply moving memoir that follows the 300-mile journey
undertaken by Mike Palmer, Tim Owen, and Andy Airey, three fathers united by
the tragic loss of their daughters -Sophie, Beth, and Emily - to suicide. Told
through personal diary entries and reflections, the book captures their raw grief,
moments of unexpected joy, and the compassion they encountered along the
way, as they walked from the Lake District to the fens of East Anglia.
The three dads use their journey to raise awareness of suicide prevention,
advocate for change, and bring hope to others, having already raised over £1
million for the charity PAPYRUS and campaigned for suicide prevention
education in schools.
In this lecture, Mike will explore how we can better equip young people with the
essential life skills needed to help prevent young suicide. He will discuss the vital
role that education plays in promoting mental health awareness and emotional
resilience from an early age, and examine how schools, families, and
communities can work together to support young people.
Mike will also address the powerful influence of social media, both its risks and its
potential as a tool for connection and support, and how we can guide young
people to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Drawing on personal
experience and his work in suicide prevention advocacy, Mike will highlight
practical approaches to creating a culture where it’s safe to talk, seek help, and
support one another.
