THE mother of a 17-year-old son who took his own life has called a council’s launch of a support service a “positive step forward”.

North Yorkshire County Council has created an online ‘pathway’ to support parents and professionals, who are living and working, with children and young people at risk of self-harm or suicide.

The council claims that the mental health and wellbeing of children in North Yorkshire is “generally positive” and “better” than the national average, but has developed the 'pathway' with families of those bereaved to combat mental health issues.

Pat Sowa, who helped contribute to the pathway following the death of her 17-year-old son, Dom, said: "When we were asked to take responsibility for him we felt completely unprepared for how to keep him safe and were given no information about how to talk safely about suicide or to support someone who is suicidal.

"Dom died 53 days after his first suicide attempt, and since then I have been determined to do all that I can to prevent other families going through the same hideous and usually preventable loss.

“I was invited to join the group working on the self-harm and suicide pathway after meeting the County Council’s public health team to share my experience of Dom’s care and illness. I am very glad to have been able to make a contribution to ensuring the pathway includes support for those looking after suicidal loved ones.

"We can’t hide from suicide as it makes it even more difficult to prevent."

The online pathway, which offers information and advice for recognising signs of self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, also 'signposts' people to support groups available within the county.

It's hoped the online pathway will also be used by schools and colleges to develop their policies on mental health.

Dr Maggie Atkinson, independent chair of the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board (NYSCB), added: “The latest figures from Public Health England about the mental health and wellbeing of North Yorkshire’s children and young people are generally positive.

“They include statistics that show that 67 percent of young people aged 15 are satisfied with their lives, which is better than the national average of 64 percent.

“We also know that 8.5 percent of children and young people aged five to 16 have mental health disorders, which is below the national average of 9.2 percent for this age range, and that 1.7 percent of school age children and young people have social, emotional and mental health needs. The national average is percent.

"The NYSCB is committed to working with its partners to improve the quality of emotional and mental health support available in North Yorkshire, and make sure people can get that support as soon as they need it.”

The pathway is online via www.northyorks.gov.uk/support-children-young-people-and-their-families.