Suicide prevention tins are being left across north Cumbria as mental health problems reach an all time high.

The suicide prevention charity Every Life Matters is working with the North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network, to hand out the suicide prevention resource tins across the north of the county.

The tins will provide access to suicide prevention and self-harm information – of how to help others and how people can get help themselves when they are struggling with their mental health.

They will be available at locations including pharmacies, colleges, police stations and community centres.

Host organisations will also be offered training in suicide intervention skills, and will be responsible for ensuring resources are available to those who need them.

Having easier access to the right information early can help better understand how to manage thoughts of suicide and urges to self harm, to support others to do this and to know where to get help if needed.

Thoughts of suicide are a common response to challenging life circumstances and can affect anyone from any walk of life.

One in 17 people will have thoughts of suicide each year. While having thoughts of suicide doesn’t mean people will necessarily act on those thoughts, they need to be taken very seriously.

The resource tins give information about where to get help, how to help others, how to create safety plans, and basic information about thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

Every Life matters, who are responsible for the distribution of the resource tins across the area are keen to ensure clearly accessible support is available for anyone who may be struggling.

Ian Alcock, community coordinator at Every Life Matters, said: "This project is about empowering our communities to make those lifesaving interventions and know where to access the right resources, at the right time.

"We have got used to seeing defibrillators widely across our county now at public venues. Having quick access to offer someone information about where to get help when they are having thoughts of suicide can give real hope, and in some cases, like defibrillators, may save lives.”

Janine Ward, managing director of Together We Talk said: “These tins are needed in a time where mental health problems are at an all time high and we are seeing increases in referrals.

"The idea of having first aid kits for mental health fills me with hope for people being able to get the right support and take the steps they need to keep themselves well and supported.

"Every Life Matters have done a great job with these and we will be keeping one in each of our locations for Talk and the new North Cumbria Recovery College."

Katherine McGleenan, North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Lead, said: “Understanding how to look after our own mental health and wellbeing, how to help others we may be concerned about, and how and where to get help should be given the same priority as knowing how to manage our physical health.

"However this is not always easy, partly due to the stigma. The network resource tins have been developed to help more people have easier access to the right information early.

"I hope that this will help more people find the information and support they need, and to prevent people feeling they have no other option than to consider suicide.”

Resource tins can be ordered by organisations across Allerdale, Copeland, Carlisle or Eden by visiting www.every-life-matters.org.uk or e-mailing: info@every-life-matters.org.uk.Top up materials will be available to order through the Every Life Matters website.