SURVIVORS of suicide attempts and support workers shared emotional stories as part of World Suicide Prevention Day yesterday.

The occasion was marked by stalls, workshops, photo exhibitions and a range of other activities across Brighton and Hove, designed to raise awareness of the help available to people who are or have felt suicidal.

Rethink Mental Illness, which runs the Survivors Of Suicide support service in Brighton, released a film as part of the day which documented the stories of several men from the area who had attempted to take their own lives.

One man known only as Mark, who appears in the film, said of his attempt: “I was at a very low point in my life. I’d lost my house, my business, and depression had set in.

“I was easily on ten pints a day, but losing everything didn’t really affect me because I was dulling it with the alcohol.”

Mark lost both his lower legs because of his suicide attempt, but has since regained the ability to walk and is now training as an accountant.

A Rethink spokesman said: “Each of the men in this film were living with their own problems, but each one came to the same conclusion – that their lives were no longer worth living. At the service, where we help both men and women, we strive to support everyone in their recovery journey.”

Grassroots Suicide Prevention, another support service which operates in the city, staged a number of events including a photo exhibition.

Stella Comber, chief executive, said: “We’re out talking to people today because we believe that suicide prevention is very much a community responsibility and we can all play our part.

“The message that our organisation wants to spread is that things will get better, that no-one should have to go through that alone.

“It’s about working together and reaching out to people who are in a bad place.

“Sometimes people think that there’s an inevitability with suicide, but as many of the people we work with who are in recovery prove, this is not the case.

“These people are living a life that they never thought they would have had.”

If you or anyone you know has been experiencing suicidal thoughts, they can speak anonymously to the Samaritans’ listening service at 116 123, or to the city council’s mental health rapid response unit on 0300 304 0078.

Grassroots Suicide Prevention offers a range of resources including suicide prevention training as well as the Stay Alive app.

Its website can be found at www.prevent-suicide.org.uk