As published in Lancashire Telegraph
The Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is encouraging East Lancashire people to open up about their mental health.
His move follows National Suicide Prevention Week which finished on Saturday.
This year it coincided with the launch of a new national strategy aimed at significantly reducing England’s suicide rate.
House of Commons deputy speaker Mr Evans met with representatives from charities, not-for-profit organisations and businesses in Westminster last week to discuss what is being done to help prevent suicide and support those in need.
One of those charities, R;pple Suicide Prevention, works with tech companies to intervene and intercept harmful searches (whilst maintaining user privacy), signposting to free and confidential 24/7 mental health support services.
Anyone can install their software which is free to use and proven to help break negative thought patterns.
Mr Evans also met with representatives from Jacobs who have developed a free online mental health check-in tool aimed at the engineering and construction sector.
He said: “Suicide is something which has touched so many lives, yet something which many people are still so afraid to speak about. One of the reasons that it is so very tragic is that it is preventable.
"Through raising the profile of charities like R;pple Suicide Prevention and others, I hope we can encourage more people to feel they are able to talk about their mental health.
"Simply talking to a loved one and asking whether they are OK can be all it takes to make the difference.
“I would encourage everyone to take a look at the tools on offer and check in with their own mental health and those closest to them.”
View the original publication in Lancashire Telegraph
