People share stories to help prevent suicide

Every Life Matters said it has taught 3,200 students in Cumbria about managing mental health issues

Young people are being asked to share their experiences of suicidal thoughts for a prevention training programme.

Every Life Matters, a suicide prevention charity in Cumbria, is asking people aged 18-26 to share their story on film, which will then be shown to school pupils in the area.

When the charity was first set up six years ago, schools were reluctant to engage, but now they wanted resources and training to help educate staff and students, said CEO Chris Wood.

Mr Wood added that hearing the voices of people students could relate to could "really have an impact" and that "lived experience makes people sit up and notice".

People are being invited to share their own stories or occasions where they supported a friend who had experienced thoughts of suicide.

Every Life Matters research found about 45% of young people who completed their survey had supported a friend, either in person or online.

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People who shared their stories would be given "full control of what part is made public, in what format and where it is shared", the charity said.

Mr Wood said it was a "brave step to tell your story on film and in such a public way".

"We know from people who have participated before in this experience, that it's a really positive experience, for them to be able to share, knowing that it will reach thousands of other young people in Cumbria," he said.

Filmed stories will make up part of a suicide prevention training programme

The charity said people could share in other ways, including audio recordings or written testimony, anonymous or otherwise.

It has worked with 12 schools in Cumbria over the past two years to deliver training to about 3,200 students and their teachers, and it said the testimonies would help expand the training.

The film will be shown to students from Year 10 and 12.