ARC NWC public adviser Alan Price has joined others across Cheshire and Merseyside by bravely sharing his story of struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts, as part of a suicide prevention campaign encouraging people to download the ‘StayAlive’ app.

The campaign is part of Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Collaborative (CHAMPS) ‘No More Suicide’ strategy which aims to ensure that suicide prevention support is accessible to everyone across the two regions, so that no one feels like suicide is their only option.

The StayAlive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, it contains a directory of UK national crisis support helplines and local crisis services, and people can customise their own safety plan using the app. It has been downloaded over 100,000 times and was set up by Brighton-based charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

The latest campaign for the app, which launched in October, has seen over 4,500 new users across Cheshire and Merseyside. For the campaign, Alan shared his story and it is now accessible via the app. Alan said:

“It was great to be able to contribute to a worthwhile cause and a practical way of getting much needed help in these trying times. If sharing my mental health journey can inspire others then it’s something I will continue to do.”

Speaking to Champion Newspaper Sue Forster, Director of Public Health for St Helens and Lead for Suicide Prevention in Cheshire & Merseyside said: “It is important for those people who are suffering to know that there are others out there who have also been through this and come out the other side, and that there are services and tools available that can help. The StayAlive app is one such tool which is free and easy to use if you are suffering with suicidal thoughts, or if you’re concerned about someone that you care about.”

For further information about suicide prevention and support, download the StayAlive app. The StayAlive app is free on iOS and Android devices. You can download it through the app store or google play.