The Orange Button is a simple way we can all help prevent suicide across Somerset. The button identifies people in our community who have completed suicide prevention training, marking them as safe people who will listen to individuals having thoughts of suicide and signpost them to support.
This training is available to anyone who wants to feel more confident in supporting those around them. One person who recently took the step to get involved is Ursula Casey, the Project Coordinator for Wild Roots.
Ursula often finds that the most meaningful conversations don’t happen in a formal office, but while she and members of the Wild Roots group are busy with their hands—perhaps weeding a garden bed or working in the woods. “It’s that side-by-side connection that really matters. Wearing the Orange Button in that setting just adds to the sense of care and support we already have; it shows people that we are a safe space where they can be open about how they’re feeling”.
Turning a drive to help into practical support
Working at Wilder Woods—part of the Central Somerset Outdoor Learning Partnership—means Ursula meets and chats with all kinds of people. It was this sense of community, alongside her own personal experiences, that led her to the Orange Button scheme.
“I wanted to do it for a few reasons,” she explains. “Part of it was because of the people I meet through the woods, but it was also because I’ve seen people close to me struggle with their mental health.”
Confidence, not just theory
The Orange Button training is accessible, focusing on the human side of support rather than complex medical knowledge.
“It was actually very straightforward and only takes a few hours,” Ursula tells us. “It’s not about having to learn a huge amount of theory; a lot of it is common sense. What it really does is give you the confidence to simply ask someone how they are, and the knowledge of where to signpost them if they need a bit more help. It was also a great chance to network and meet others who care about the same things.”
The Orange Button: A visible sign of support
The Orange Button project is supported by several organisations across the county, including Somerset Council. The goal is to make support visible in our everyday lives.
Ursula hopes the bright orange pin will become a common sight in our towns and villages: “I’d love to see more people across Somerset wearing the Orange Button,” she says. “It ties in so well with mental health at work, and it would be wonderful if people in everyday roles—like librarians or receptionists—did the training. The more people who know what the button means, the easier it becomes for anyone struggling to reach out and find help.”
Find out more about the Orange Button
If you would like to follow in Ursula’s footsteps, you can learn more about the training and how to get involved on the Orange Button information page.
And if you’re interested in the work Ursula does with nature and community, do take a look at the Wild Roots projects.
If you need help, call us anytime.
You can call Mindline Somerset to talk to someone who will listen and help you find the support you need.
📞 Call locally 01823 276892
📞 Freephone 0800 138 1692