"There's always somebody to listen" - Brighton Samaritans on World Suicide Prevention Day
The Samaritans can be phoned day or night 365 days a year on 116 123
Anyone struggling with their mental health is being reminded there is always somebody to talk to.
That's the message from the Samaritans today, on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Suzie McGowan, the Director of The Samaritans in Brighton and Hove told us: "We're always busy, it's a 24/7 365 days a year service.
"As soon as you put the phone down it rings again. No matter how bad life is feeling for you at the moment there is always someone there".
There has been a slight drop in the number of people dying by suicide across Sussex in the last year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Suzie continued: "I think loads of people have been having a very tough time...I'm delighted there hasn't been an increase and I hope we don't see one in the future, I really hope that carries on".
Meanwhile a new initiative to lower the rates of people dying by suicide in Adur and Worthing is being launched today.
It's a free 90-minute online training course for people who work or volunteer with the public.
'Talking About Suicide - Ten Tools' was developed by local charity Olly's Future and suicide prevention training organisation Start the Conversation.
It's being delivered between September and December and aims to equip public-facing workers with the skills to support someone in crisis.
The founder of Olly’s Future, Ann Feloy, lost her son Olly to suicide on 14th February 2017.
She said: “I miss my son so dearly and would hate for anyone to go through the pain of loss that I feel every day. By developing this training, I wanted to equip people with the skills I wish I’d had to help Oliver.
"It is a privilege to work with other mental health charities in Adur and Worthing to save lives from suicide. All the work we do at Olly’s Future is in memory of my son.”
Here are a few local resources for anyone who might be struggling:
https://www.westsussexmind.org/
https://www.starttheconversation.uk/
https://www.samaritans.org/branches/worthing/
https://www.samaritans.org/branches/brighton/