A PSYCHIATRIC nurse has won national recognition for her work to reduce suicides in one of Britain's blackspots.
Lyn Williams, a nurse consultant in liaison psychiatry with Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, has been presented with the Mental Health Nurse of the Year award in the Nursing Times awards.
She won the accolade for setting up and leading Teesside's Suicide Taskforce.
She said: "This award is not just for me, but for everyone involved in the taskforce."
Health groups, councils, police, voluntary organisations and private companies have signed a charter to reduce the number of suicides on Teesside.
About 60 people a year commit suicide on Teesside, much higher than the national average.
Ms Williams said: "Teesside has one of the highest levels of death by suicide in the country.
"We all need to work together to try to reduce suicides on Teesside and that is what the taskforce is all about."
The judges said the taskforce was outstanding and that Ms Williams "brought an admirable combination of passionate commitment and considered, well-planned innovation to meet what some might consider one of the most difficult health service objectives".
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