'I didn't know how to help my suicidal son'

James Mayne was 20 when he took his own life

A mother says she did not know where to get help for her son when he told her he was going to take his own life.

James Mayne, from Stockton, was 20 years old when he died during lockdown following a break-up and the loss of his job.

His mother Tracey Mayne said she remembers thinking her son needed help but she did not know how to find the specialist support he required.

The government said it would expand mental health teams in schools and colleges in an effort to "curb one of this country's biggest killers" among young people.

Ms Mayne said her son had been struggling with his mental health for several months before he died.

She tried to comfort him by telling him suicide was "not the answer" and his negative feelings would not last forever.

"He actually expressed to me exactly what he was planning to do," she said.

"[I remember] thinking I need to get some help for him but I wasn't quite sure how to go about getting that help or where it was available."

Tracey Mayne said she did not know how to help her son but wants others in his situation to open up to others

The government said it was working to reduce suicide among children and young people.

"Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and this government will stop at nothing to curb on of this country's biggest killers," a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said.

"We are prioritising the welfare of children as part of the Suicide Prevention Strategy, while expanding mental health support teams in schools and colleges to cover all pupils by 2029-30."

Ms Mayne has urged anyone considering taking their own life to "open up" and speak to someone.

"I don't think anyone would turn someone away who is in need of help," she said.

"Just confide in somebody."

• If you, or someone you know, has been affected by mental health issues BBC Action Line has put together a list of organisations which can help.