The latest suicides in Bridgend

Created: 2008-02-19 19:06:58

Today Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity SANE, commented on the latest suicides in Bridgend:

"Like the parents of Nathaniel Pritchard, the Bridgend teenager who committed suicide last week, we are concerned that the glamorisation of these deaths has encouraged young people to take their own lives, by increasingly violent methods, for the sake of a few seconds of fame.

"We welcome the Welsh Health Minister’s acceleration of a suicide prevention plan for Wales. Suicide can be prevented, as we know from the many callers who contact our telephone helpline, SANEline. People can be helped to see other options and to seek successful treatment for what may be underlying depression.

"It is vital that anyone concerned about a young person’s state of mind should encourage them to talk to those experienced in supporting people who are in this desperate state. SANEline can also offer help to parents, friends and other family members. The helpline is open every day of the year on 0845 767 8000 or email sanemail@sane.org.uk."

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For further information please contact SANE’s media office on 020 7422 5556.

Notes for editors

SANE has three objectives:

• to raise awareness and respect for people with mental illness and their families, improve education and training, and secure better services;
• to undertake research into the causes of serious mental illness through the Prince of Wales International Centre for SANE Research;
• to provide information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers through SANEline and SANEmail.

Staffed by trained volunteers, SANEline is open from 1pm to 11pm every day of the year, making it the only national helpline for all mental health problems open during evenings, weekends and all holidays. The SANELINE number is 0845 767 8000.

SANEmail runs alongside SANEline to provide an additional channel of support to those affected by mental health issues. The email address is sanemail@sane.org.uk.

SANE’s caller care service provides support to callers at times of crisis or further need. Staffed by trained mental health workers, it operates during office hours and also provides out of hours and weekend cover.

For further information visit www.sane.org.uk.