Next week, 10th, September is World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a subject I touch upon every few months in this column, with good reason. Lancashire has the 3rd highest suicide rate in the country.

There are approximately 3 times as many deaths by suicide in the UK as there are fatal road traffic accidents.

When we compare the amount of awareness around road safety, and the resources applied, on both a local and national level, we can perhaps realise that more can be done to help bring the suicide figures down.

Interestingly, for every female death by suicide, there are three male deaths.

The age group with the highest death by suicide rate is 45-54.

Suicide is largely preventable, and as far as I am concerned, one is one too many. The ripple effect throughout our communities following a death by suicide can affect many people including, family, friends and colleagues of the person concerned.

So this week, I have chosen to mention some local and other services which you may find useful if you are struggling with your feelings, or would like to help create a suicide safer community for everyone.

Talk Ourselves Well, is a group for men to support each other in the Blackburn with Darwen area. You can find more info on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ TALKOurselvesWELL

Andy’s Man Club is a national organisation where men can meet up and support each other, no matter what life struggles they are facing. They meet at Ewood Park every Monday at 7pm, excluding bank holidays. You can find out more at www.andysmanclub.co.uk

The national charity Campaign Against Living Miserably has a helpline which is open each evening from 5pm to midnight on 0800 585858. You can also access live chat from their website https://www.thecalmzone.net/suicide-prevention-helpline

The safeTALK training course is a free face-to-face training course which is available for people who live, study, work or volunteer within the Lancashire County Council area. The course helps people to watch out for the signals or ‘invitations’ that people who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide may display. The course also teaches people how to start a conversation with someone who may be having thoughts of suicide, and help connect them with someone who can keep them safe. You can find details of upcoming courses in Lancashire here: https://bit.ly/4ak7sgY

These courses are also run in Blackburn with Darwen, who are also running some other suicide awareness events over the next few days, you can find out more here: https://bit.ly/3MpwOA2

As you can see from everything above, there is help out there if you are struggling with your thoughts and feelings, and everyone can play their part in helping to reduce the number of people we lose to suicide.

You can also now call NHS on 111 if you are struggling with your mental health, and of course the Samaritans on 116 123 so there is no need to struggle alone, ever.

* Martin Furber is a therapist qualified in various modalities and an Instructor Member of Mental Health First Aid England wellbeing@martinfurber.com