A new service aims to assist families bereaved by suicide.

The Suicide Bereavement Service launched in NHS Ayrshire and Arran last month.

It is part of a pilot project running in two areas, including NHS Highland.

North Ayrshire Integration Joint Board’s Chief Officer, Caroline Cameron, told a meeting this week that the service is being provided by mental health charity Penumbra,

Ms Cameron added: “Our service launched in August 2021 and referrals are now active to the new service. We have a pan-Ayrshire Choose Life strategic group which continues to meet on a regular basis, reviewing the actions, the ten actions within the Ayrshire Suicide Prevention Action Plan.

“One of the other priority actions in that is training around suicide prevention and awareness and that is an important feature and we’ve managed to secure funding for two training posts, so a training strategy is being written up and will be ratified within the training group work stream and that’ll be rolled out over the next few months.”

A decision on groups to be prioritised to receive training in a bid to help prevent loss of life through suicide, has yet to be taken.