Bereaved father welcomes new Isle of Man suicide prevention helpline

Dave Higson founded a support group for those bereaved by suicide in 2019

A father whose son took his own life has welcomed the creation of the Isle of Man's first dedicated suicide prevention helpline.

Dave Higson said it was "such a relief" to see the establishment of the service, launched by charity Isle Stand Up To Suicide, earlier this month.

Mr Higson has campaigned to increase awareness of suicide since his son Martin's death five years ago.

Tynwald backed a new suicide prevention strategy in May.

Mr Higson said the establishment of the new volunteer-run hotline, which is open daily between 14:00 and 22:00 BST, was "absolutely brilliant for the Isle of Man".

"I think everybody in life has periods where they feel like they're trapped, but I think you've got to try and reach out and speak to somebody," he said.

Dave Higson's son Martin was a politics graduate who liked travelling

Martin Higson, described by his father as a "clever and arty" man who enjoyed playing music, died in June 2018 at the age of 30 while living in the United States.

Before his death, he felt a "lot of pressure" with work and personal issues, and "isolated himself", his father said.

"I think he was proud, he didn't offer us the opportunity to help him," he said.

He said he hoped the recent efforts of charities and the government would create an environment where those in crisis would "start to talk instead of taking their own lives and ask for that help that they need".

"A zero suicide island, that's what I want", he said.

Mr Higson, who founded a support group for others affected by suicide in January 2019, raised more than £8,000 for suicide awareness charities by swimming around the island earlier this year.

He said: "The shock at the beginning was just, 'oh my gosh', I cannot explain how bad it is, everything sort of lost its meaning.

"I still miss Martin, but it's part of my life story now and I take him with me wherever I go."

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]