A COUPLE whose son took his own life have launched a support group to help other grieving families.

Noel and Janet Taylor, of Warwick Street, Leigh, were devastated when their 23-year-old son, Malcolm, killed himself more than a year ago.

Although Malcolm had been on medication for depression for two years he seemed to be picking up his life had got engaged to his long-term girlfriend in November 1999 and bought a new car the following January.

His death on March 19 2000 came as a huge shock.

Malcolm had threatened suicide five years ago, following a broken relationship and the death of an uncle, but psychiatric treatment wasn't deemed necessary at the time and he made a full recovery.

Mrs Taylor said: "Malcolm was very out-going, always happy-go-lucky. He seemed so happy at the time. We had no idea, but that's just it -- with suicide you never do."

A post mortem examination concluded Malcolm had died of an overdose.

He did not leave a suicide note, but in November 2000 an inquest recorded the cause of death as suicide.

Mr and Mrs Taylor sought help to cope with their loss and in October began attending monthly support group meetings in Lymm. They received great comfort from the meetings, run by the SOBS -- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity, as they were able to talk to other families in the same situation.

Mrs Taylor explained: "Losing someone to suicide isn't like losing someone to cancer or a road accident -- you have to come to terms with the fact that they chose to die. It goes against the laws of nature for a child to die before their parents."

The couple, along with accident and emergency nurse Lewis Garrett, have now set up their own local branch of the group, which will be held at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"We received so much help and support from others we want to give something back," said Mrs Taylor. "By sharing our experiences we hope to help others come to terms with their grief."

Official statistics show the suicide rate among young males is on the increase, with 4,694 deaths recorded in the UK in 1999.

A spokesman for SOBS cited the stresses of modern society as the primary cause of male suicide. He said: "It is the male role to achieve, provide and support. Pressures felt from trying to succeed are generally the root cause of suicide."

He explained that everyone grieved in their own way.

"Families affected by suicide tend to feel betrayed and rejected. They are constantly asking 'Why?'. We can't offer answers, but we can offer reassurance to help them come to terms with the fact that they may never know."

Mrs Taylor said: "The meetings are somewhere to go on an informal basis for support and comfort. People can talk if they want, but there is no pressure."

Hilary Ravenscroft, of the Lymm branch of SOBS, said: "There is a great need for more groups, so we can reach more people. The Taylors have coped amazingly well."

The first meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday, August 23 at the hospital's eye unit, with following meetings taking place on the third Thursday of each month. For more information call the national SOBS helpline on 0870 241 3337 or the Bolton branch on 01942 201744.

Mr Taylor is taking part in a sponsored head shave on September 6 to raise funds for the charity.