A NUMBER of buildings in Thurrock will be lit up in green this evening - and for the rest of the week - to encourage people to talk about preventing suicide

From today , Monday 9 to Friday (13 September), organisations, people and communities across Essex are lighting up buildings and landmarks green, as part of the 'Creating hope through light' event for World Suicide Prevention Day.

The 'Creating hope through light' week-long event, hopes to raise awareness of suicide prevention and challenge Essex residents to take the FREE suicide prevention training, which can be accessed on www.letstalkaboutsuicide.co.uk.

It's a joint initiative from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System and Thurrock and Brentwood Mind as part of their #LetsTalkAboutSuicide campaign.

It's aimed at reducing the stigma around talking about suicide and encourages people to take the free online suicide prevention training, as well as highlight the other mental health resources available in Essex.

The following places will be turning green:

• Thurrock and Brentwood Mind

• Top level (7th floor) of Thameside complex Orsett Rd Grays Essex RM17 5DX

• 2-4 Derwent Parade , South Ockendon RM15 5EE

• New Hall The Sorrells, Stanford Le Hope SS17 7ES

• Aveley Hall 108 High Street Aveley RM15 4AX

• 34 Derry Avenue South Ockendon RM15 5DL

• Marisco Hall Brentwood Rd Chadwell St Mary RM16 4JP

• Take 4 51 Lodge Lane Grays Essex RM17 5RZ

• Health watch Thurrock

Lynne Morgan, CEO, Thurrock & Brentwood Mind said: "We are so grateful for the support from organisations that have embraced the 'Creating Hope through Light' campaign and encouraged their staff and communities to undergo the training and promote the website as a resource. As we embark on another year of this campaign, we aspire to engage even more individuals and organisations in our mission to maximise participation in the suicide prevention training now more than ever we think this kind of training is vital for everyone to help spot someone who may be struggling."

People can also take part by joining the social media campaign with #CreatingHopeThroughLight, as well as upload personal messages and videos using the campaign resources available on www.letstalkaboutsuicide.co.uk They can also follow the campaigns on Instagram @tbmindcharity, @talksuicideessex, and Facebook @ThurrockandBrentwoodMindCharity, @letstalkaboutsuicideessex.

In 2022 5,642 people lost their lives to suicide in the UK, with 131 people taking their life in Essex alone. Suicide is in fact the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom in men under 50. Thousands of people experience suicidal thoughts and feelings every single day and coupled with COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis and events across the World, we are now amid a mental health crisis.