A groundbreaking suicide prevention campaign that uses people’s first-hand experiences to encourage others to ask openly about suicide has been launched across Cambridgeshire.

STOP Suicide is an award-winning campaign led by Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind in partnership with Lifecraft.

It’s supported by local NHS and local authority teams, as part of the county-wide suicide prevention strategy, together with more than 1400 individual and more than 50 organisational STOP Suicide pledgees.

The community roadshow, showing the film and asking people to sign up to the STOP Suicide Pledge will be in Market Place, Wisbech Town Centre on Wednesday May 9 from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

The campaign has also gained international support from the actor, writer, comedian and long-term mental health campaigner, Stephen Fry.

Stephen, who is president of Mind, said: “With 1 in 4 people, like me, living with a mental health problem, we have to address the stigma that exists when asking someone directly how they’re feeling. Suicide can affect anyone.

“We know that often people struggle in silence and find it difficult to know how to ask for help. That’s why campaigns like this are so important.

“STOP Suicide is the campaign behind the “I’d Ask” Pledge, which I’ve signed up to and would urge others to do the same.”

The actor’s endorsement has been welcomed by CPSL Mind.

CEO, Aly Anderson, said: “The facts are that an estimated one in five of us has had suicidal thoughts at some point in our lives and 70 per cent of people who die by suicide have not been in contact with mental health services in the year before their death.

“Consequently, it’s more likely that a friend, relative, neighbour or colleague – rather than a mental health professional – will be in the best position to spot the warning signs in those at risk, help them by talking openly about suicide, listen to their story and direct them to the help they need.”

Individuals and organisations can support the campaign by signing the STOP Suicide pledge at: www.stopsuicidepledge.org/pledge/ and sharing their commitment on social media using the hashtags #IdAsk and #STOPSuicide

For more information and to access advice including 24-hour support via the NHS First Response Service using 111 option 2, visit: stopsuicidepledge.org/help-now/