A MAN who lost a friend to suicide 25 years ago says he still struggles with depression and anxiety.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, Alec Proffitt, from Walney, opened up about losing his university friend to suicide in 1998.

Still today Alec struggles due to the impact of that event when he was in his early twenties.

Although they had grown apart in the months leading up to his death, the incident was a 'massive shock' to Alec.

"Because of the way he tried to touch base and reach out to me, I felt quite guilty about the fact that I hadn't responded more positively to him", said Alec.

"We decided to go to his funeral in Bolton and it was quite a traumatic day. The visuals from that day still live with me, and I can still see it to this day. It has had a big impact on my life.

"I have experienced death in my life prior to my friend's death and after that, and it hasn't had in any way the same impact."

Today, he is shining a light on the importance of mental health organisations and their role in supporting those left with a hole when losing a loved one to suicide.

He said: "It has affected my mental health significantly and I think that when I hear about suicides it does bring me back flashbacks and those feelings of guilt.

"I've come to terms with it a bit more but it has made me quite depressed at times, and I've had regular suicide ideation. 

"I suffer from depression and anxiety and the shock of the funeral day has left me post-traumatic. It has been a big shadow over my life, and I'm still getting treatment now with Every Life Matters.

"There weren't services like this in 1998 that could help specifically with suicidal bereavement. I'm trying to get better, but it is still there in the background."

If you are worried about your own or someone else's mental health, call the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust on their Mental Health Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 953 0110.