A football club has signed up to a new scheme aiming to support suicide prevention.
Bishop Auckland FC has signed up as a Suicide Prevention Champion under the initiative led by Durham County Council in support of World Suicide Prevention Day.
The council is calling on individuals across County Durham to become champions, regardless of background, to help raise awareness and promote open conversations around suicide and mental health.
Councillor Howard Brown, cabinet member for adult and health services at Durham County Council, said: "No one should have to suffer in silence, and the best way to tackle suicide as a community is to have open and honest discussions and break down those barriers that make it a taboo topic.
"As a Suicide Prevention Champion, you would be making a difference.
"You don’t need to be a specialist; you just need to be someone with compassion and understanding."
The scheme does not require any formal qualifications, as champions will receive training and support to help others talk openly, recognise signs of suicide risk, and share information about available support services.
They will not be expected to provide crisis mental health support.
The campaign aligns with this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, which encourages conversations to reduce stigma and create a more supportive environment for those struggling.
Anyone aged 18 or over who lives or works in County Durham can volunteer to become a champion.
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More information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/SuicidePreventionChampions.
Help is available for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, with the Samaritans offering a free helpline on 116 123.
For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select option 2.
Further resources for adults and children can be found online at www.durham.gov.uk/adultmentalhealthsupport and www.durham.gov.uk/familiesmentalhealth.
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