In 2018. Ben West was 17 when he found his younger brother Sam unconscious in his room in Kent, United Kingdom; Sam, 15 at the time, had attempted suicide. Emergency services arrived. But they were unable to save him — Sam had been diagnosed with clinical depression months earlier, and his behavior had become increasingly distant. Ben later admitted he carried the guilt for years, believing the argument they had that night contributed to the tragedy — Over time, he came to understand that suicide is the result of multiple factors rather than a single cause.

From Personal Loss to Global Mission

Motivated by his loss, Ben reoriented his life and career toward suicide prevention — In 2026, he launched “Reasons to Stay,” a global initiative based on anonymous letters. The platform displays messages from people worldwide to those in crisis, offering immediate emotional support; Users can also write their own messages for others — all content is reviewed by professionals to ensure it is appropriate and does not inadvertently encourage harmful thoughts. The project was created in memory of Sam and aims to convey a simple but powerful message: no one is alone, even in their darkest moments.

Sam West’s Other Legacies and Passions

Sam West, the founder of the Museum of Failure in New York, is a clinical psychologist and innovation researcher. The museum, which first opened in 2017 in Helsingborg, Sweden, showcases over 159 failed products from well-known companies. These range from high-tech gadgets to food and cosmetics. West emphasizes that failure is a part of progress and aims to normalize it through the museum. He also speaks at events, sharing the lessons behind these failed products.

Sam is also known in a different context. Dr. Sam West, a researcher at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, recently highlighted the rapid weight regain after ceasing GLP-1 injections. A study published in the British Medical Journal analyzed 37 existing studies involving 9,341 participants. It found that overweight individuals who used GLP-1 agonists lost about one-fifth of their body weight but regained an average of 0.8 kilograms per month after stopping treatment. Within 1.5 years, many returned to their original weight. Dr. West noted that while these medications revolutionize obesity treatment, weight regain is faster than with behavioral programs.

Sam West in Music and Birding

The 13-track album includes covers of “Back In The Saddle Again” by Gene Autry and “Even Cowgirls Get The Blues” by Rodney Crowell. Sam Stoane, an American musician from California, is set to debut her album “Tales of the Dark West” on May 23. The album blends folk and country music, offering a cinematic journey through frontier life and uncharted stories. Stoane, now based in Nashville, uses guitar, violin, and mandolin to create a unique sound that pushes the boundaries of traditional country music.

Sam West, the British birdwatcher and TV personality, is featured in a new series with Ade Edmondson. The show, which begins on April 14, takes the pair on a birdwatching journey across the British Isles. West, who has long been passionate about birding, is teaching Edmondson the ropes. The series includes visits to the wild coasts of West Cornwall and locations like the Somerset Levels in search of rare birds. Along the way, they encounter species like the common firecrest, chough, and bittern. The series also highlights the pair’s love for picnics and pubs, adding a personal touch to their explorations.