A PROJECT which aims to tackle the stigma of mental health is launching in Barrow next month.

Suicide Safer Barrow is bidding to reduce stigma, increase understanding of when someone is at risk of suicide and raise awareness of the range of help and resources available for people in our communities experiencing suicidal thoughts.

The project, which is support by Mind-in-Furness, coincides with The Mail’s ‘Time to Talk’ campaign which mirrors the work suicide prevention charity Every Life Matters is doing to tackle Cumbria’s suicide rates that remain higher than the UK average.

Designed to highlight support and advice for anyone in crisis, the Every Life Matters’ project comes after six people within Furness have reportedly taken their lives since Boxing Day.

The charity was formed in late 2018 by Kendal's Kate Bainbridge, who lost her son to suicide five years ago.

She said: “My son Ben was a brilliant and caring young man who took his own life on June 14 2014.

“He was caring, outgoing, and looked up to by his peers - it seemed he had everything to live for. His death had reaching effects locally amongst his friends, his partner, work colleagues and obviously his family.

“I had no understanding of suicide. It was something no one ever seemed to talk about.

“I ask myself daily – should I have recognised a sign? I needed answers and to make a difference, so I began to look at how I could get involved locally.

“It echoed my fear as a society we don’t talk about suicide - it is the biggest killer of young men.”

On average, one person will commit suicide in Cumbria per week, while one in five Cumbrian residents will have suicidal thoughts.

In Barrow alone there has been on average nine suicides per year

Juliet Gray, project training manager, said: “Three quarters of people who die by suicide are not in contact with any mental health services in the year leading up to their death.”

Suicide Safer Barrow launches on May 13 at Barrow Army Reserves Centre, Holker Street.