EDEN police cadets, have launched a suicide prevention banner across Cumbria during Mental Health Awareness Week.

The cadets, aged 13-18, were tasked to create a project, and independently decided on mental health.

The banner features positive personal messages from the cadets including, ‘Nobody is better off without you’, ‘it’s ok, not to be ok’ and ‘suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem’.

It also has numbers for three charities: ChildLine, Samaritans and PAPYRUS.

Cadet, Abigail Garvey, said: “We wanted to create something that could make a difference to our community. These banners are eye catching and will be in places where they can be seen by lots of people.

“We wanted to get people talking, which is why we wrote ‘Suicide’ in such large letters to grab attention and we wanted to let people know that there is always someone who they can talk to.

“There is such a taboo around this subject, but stress in young people and older generations is increasing, we therefore need to end the taboo.

"If this banner save even one life, that would be a huge success, and we will have achieved aim of making a difference.

Eden Cadet Leader, Sergeant Tamara Tatton said; “I couldn’t be prouder of the cadets, they have truly excelled in this project from start to finish. The results speak for themselves."

Juliet Gray, suicide prevention trainer, said: “My job is to train people regarding suicide prevention and I joined the project to support the cadets.

“What struck me when working with the cadets, was the main message they wanted to get across, a message of hope, and that message is so important.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “Mental health is such a big issue for society, it affects people right across the country and that is no different here in Cumbria.

“The police often deal with people in crisis, including suicide. That is why it is really important that our cadets have been getting engaged with this subject and came up with this remarkable project to promote the idea that there is help available and the poignant message of hope.

“With the support of local businesses like Sellafield and BAE, as well as other partners, I hope that these banners will soon feature everywhere, right-across Cumbria. If we can end the taboo on the subject of mental health we can get people talking and better helping each other.”