A DISTRICT care trust is striving to reinforce the message that suicide CAN be prevented.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is raising awareness of suicide, and the range of support available to people in crisis.

As part of the initiative, the trust is spearheading an event – on September 12, two days after World Suicide Prevention Day – which will feature a number of speakers.

Suicide is the biggest killer of males under 50 – and influential factors often include relationship breakdowns, bereavement, financial problems or poor mental health.

For anyone in need of urgent crisis care, the trust's First Response service offers 24/7 support to people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. Call 0800 952 1181.

Alternatively, people can talk to Guide-Line about their mental health and wellbeing. The service, operated by Bradford Mind, can be contacted on 08001 884 884.

Also, Safer Spaces provides crisis support for children, young people and adults – visit mindinbradford.org.uk/support-for-you/safe-spaces.

Information about all mental health and wellbeing support services in the district, plus self-help resources and apps, can be found at healthyminds.services.

The September 12 event – being staged by the care trust, in conjunction with the local authority and voluntary and community organisations – is taking place at Kala Sangam, in Bradford, between 10am and 3pm.

People from across the district are invited to attend.

Speakers will include Kay Wadsworth, who lost her daughter to suicide in 2012 and now devotes much of her time to raising awareness.

West Yorkshire Police chief inspector John Toothill will also address the event. He has helped pioneer reform in the way police staff experiencing mental health problems are supported.

Other speakers will include Andrew Greenway, who has been instrumental in the growth of Andy's Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity.

Grainne Eloi – deputy director of nursing, professions and care standards at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust – said: "The impact of suicide can be devastating for family and friends left behind. We want to raise awareness of the support available for vulnerable people contemplating taking their own lives and are fully committed to suicide prevention.

"Working with the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, local authority and other voluntary and community organisations, the event aims to raise awareness and support actions that prevent suicide."

For more details and to book a place at the event, visit bit.ly/3SPRgw2.