Police have teamed up with the county council to support a campaign to prevent suicides.

The backing coincides with World Mental Health Day on October 10 and is part of the local STOP Suicide campaign.

The Stop Suicide campaign aims to build awareness about how everyone can play their part to prevent suicide in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

It is being led by three local charities; Mind in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough & Fenland Mind and Lifecraft. By signing the Stop Suicide Organisational Pledge Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridgeshire Constabulary are pledging to:

Promote the STOP Suicide message throughout their organisations;

Encourage staff to sign up to the personal STOP Suicide Pledge.

Encourage staff to be open and honest when life gets difficult.

Encourage staff to reach out to others if they are worried about them.

County councillor Kilian Bourke, chairman of the health committee said: “The committee has made mental health its top priority.

“It is therefore only right that Cambridgeshire County Council supports the Stop Suicide campaign and its message that suicide is everybody’s business.

“Suicide is preventable and I would urge people to take a minute or two to visit stopsuicidepledge.org, which provides advice and guidance.

“You don’t have to be a professional to help someone. It’s about being aware of the warning signs, talking directly to someone who you are concerned about and supporting those at risk to get help.”

Detective Superintendent Kevin Vanterpool said: “We are committed to supporting this campaign to empower people to help prevent suicide by educating them on the signs to look out for and how they can help.”