A NEW strategy to reduce the number of suicides in Gloucestershire has been launched.
The charity Samaritans has raised concerns over the suicide rates in Gloucestershire, as latest statistics reveal that in 2013, 64 people died as a result of suicide in the county and over the last 10 years suicide rates in Gloucestershire are higher than the national average.
The research comes as many mark today as World Suicide Prevention Day - an annual awareness raising event organised by International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership Forum (GSPPF) is launching a five-year-plan to reduce the number of people who take their own lives, seeking to prevent suicide in the county.
The GSPPF comprises partners from public, private and the voluntary and community sector, as well as people with lived experience, who have worked together to co-produce the strategy.
The Samaritans charity, which works to reduce the incidence of suicide feelings and suicidal behaviour, currently has 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The charity provides emotional support for people 24 hours a day.
To find out more visit samaritans.org.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article