IT is good to see two local councillors from different parties working together on suicide prevention.

This is too important a subject for politics to get in the way and we all need to unite around the issue for the good of the borough.

This community is friendly enough and close-knit enough to lead the way on suicide alertness and help turn a negative into a positive.

That is why this newspaper launched its Time To Talk campaign. Although the focus is on encouraging young men to speak up about their mental health, we recognise it is an issue that affects older generations and women too. Councillor Bill McEwan is a passionate advocate for the cause having lost his own son. Yet he has used this heart-wrenching experience to speak candidly about the need for more services to rid society of one of its last taboos.

Councillor Ben Shirley hit the nail on the head with his quote about Barrovians. He says they always ask: ‘are you all right, mate?’ – because they care.

If Barrow was ever looking for a campaign slogan that it’s okay to talk about mental health, the phrase ‘are you all right mate?’ would have a lot of resonance with all generations.

No-one should feel ashamed of speaking up. Those suffering suicidal feelings do need to know that there are people in the town who genuinely care.