KEIGHLEY'S town mayor has given his backing to a campaign which aims to prevent suicide.

Councillor Luke Maunsell, who has spoken openly about his own battles with mental health issues, has praised efforts by Mind in Bradford to raise awareness.

To coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, the locally-based mental health charity is promoting the message that small actions can help prevent people taking their own lives.

Councillor Maunsell says that during his term as mayor, he will be spreading the word about help available to people in the district who are struggling with their mental health and may be contemplating suicide.

"Whilst walking home from work one day I felt so depressed I contemplated walking out in front of a moving truck," he says.

"I knew then that I needed to get help but I didn’t fully know how to or where to go.

"I will be spreading information about the groups and wellbeing services available and letting people know there are places to go, with trained professionals to listen and help.

"There are lots of different therapies out there which can be tailored to each individual, but it’s also about making them more accessible for everyone."

Speaking to the Keighley News earlier this year following his election as mayor, Councillor Maunsell said he felt he'd emerged from those "dark days" as a stronger person.

He chose Keighley-based mental health organisation It's Worth Talking About as one of the charities he'll fundraise for during his year in office. It runs peer support groups across the district.

Mind in Bradford provides crisis support in a non-clinical space for anyone in mental health distress.

It and the Cellar Trust have recently become joint providers for Safe Spaces, which offers same-day crisis support for anyone aged seven and over in mental health distress. They operate a Bradford hub and will launch crisis cafes and a Keighley hub next month.

Anyone of any age experiencing mental health distress in Bradford district or Craven should call First Response on 0800 952 1181.

Mind in Bradford says the International Association for Suicide Prevention has adopted a three-year theme of 'creating hope through action'.

"It is a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and Mind in Bradford believes everyone can play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide," said a spokesperson.

For more details of support, visit mindinbradford.org.uk/support-for-you.