PEOPLE in the Barrow area at risk of suicide could soon be getting help from a new mental health service.

Plans are being made to establish a first responders' mental health network to offer people emergency on-the-spot support in their hour of need.

First responders' groups - involve trained volunteers - and have been first on the scene for health emergencies such as cardiac arrests - but mental health intervention would be a first for Furness.

County councillors Bill McEwan, whose son took his own life, and Cllr Ben Shirley, have been looking to provide more services.

Cllr McEwan said making bereavement counselling available to those left behind was an important part of the town becoming more ‘suicide alert'.

Cllr McEwan, the Labour member for Ormsgill, said: “When it happens you’re left thinking no-one is out there to help you. My son committed suicide. He was out with his friends drinking in Amsterdam and he went back that night and everybody thought he was great.”

Cllr Ben Shirley said the first responder network would deliver mental health ‘first aid’. Cllr Shirley, the Conservative councillor for Dalton North, said: “Twenty years ago people didn’t talk about cancer, it was a real taboo subject. It’s fair to say suicide is now that taboo subject. We want to change that to try and help people. Barrovians say ‘are you all right, mate,’ when they greet each other, but we say it sincerely because we mean it.”

The new drive will include a publicity campaign to get out the message including specially-made beer mats, posters at bus stops and in toilets.

Lesley Graham, public health manager for Barrow, said: “We want to make Barrow a place where people are equipped and confident to talk about suicide, and where they know how to help or signpost people.”

A Be Well Fest takes place in Barrow on Sunday, October 6 including a 10k running race, a ‘measured mile’ and a mental health mile.

It follows on from an event held last year at Barrow AFC’s Holker Street ground. It will include stalls encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, health MOTs, alcohol and drugs awareness, and the benefits of gardening, arts and crafts and sleeping well.

The Samaritans can be contacted free any time on 116 123, or by emailing jo@samaritans.org or by visiting the office at 16 Hartington Street, Barrow.

For those bereaved by suicide you can find your nearest SOBS support group at https://uksobs.org or call 0300 111 5065