NORTH Yorkshire county council is backing mental health campaigners encouraging people to reach out and connect with others to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

The authority is supporting the day of awareness as part of wider moves to get organisations to work together. Last year they helped improve bereavement support and introduced new training programmes. County Councillor Caroline Dickinson, executive member for public health, said: “People who are feeling low or suicidal can feel that no one cares. A suicidal period often only lasts a short time and it doesn’t have to take a huge amount to help to move someone through it."

Every year 800,000 people take their own lives, the day of awareness is on September 10. Help and support is available from The Samaritans on their free telephone line 116 123.