A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness about the warning signs of suicide has been launched in Glasgow.

Today Choose Life, the national strategy to prevent suicide, is highlighting its campaign Read Between the Lines, as part of Suicide Prevention Week.

Last year, more than 100 people took their own lives in the city.

The campaign urges people to act if they are worried about someone, such as a friend, family member or workmate.

It aims to assure people that asking a person about what is troubling them can make a positive difference and could help save their life.

The week-long campaign coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday which will be marked in Glasgow by a candlelit celebration of life at Campbell House in Gartnavel Royal Infirmary at 1pm.

It targets men and women who are more likely to be in contact with people most at risk of suicide - men aged between 30 and 59.

Statistics show around three-quarters of suicides have been men in every year since 1990.

Community-based stress service Lifelink has launched a film called Still In Our Hearts about suicide bereavement to coincide with Suicide Prevention Week.

Produced as part of the Bereaved by Suicide pilot programme, led by Lifelink for the North East Glasgow Suicide Prevention Forum, the film explores the challenges faced by people who have lost family members or friends to suicide.

Just over a year ago Caitlin, from North Glasgow lost her sister Samantha, 38, to suicide. She had cared for Samantha, who had a history of mental health problems, and after her death she found herself in a spiral of grief.

In the past Lifelink had helped her with health problems and she approached the service for help around 10 weeks after her sister's death.

She took part in a group therapy programme for people who had been affected by suicide.

Caitlin said: "After she died I would be crying all the time and I wasn't coping and I didn't like that because I always thought of myself as being able to cope.

"I didn't know what was wrong with me, I would go for a drive and just sit in the dark somewhere.

"But then it was quite soon after that I went to the support group. It was just life-saving for me."

At the group, Caitlin took part in weekly sessions, including art-based therapy, which allowed her to address her emotions.

She said: "I think I struggled that I was feeling angry at her. You feel bad for feeling angry at her for leaving you but then you have to think what life was like for her.

"She didn't intentionally hurt us, she hurt herself because she was doing this to herself. But it was hard looking in and watching her.

"I think I was probably scared to say I was angry because I thought that sounded bad."

Caitlin is backing the campaign to raise awareness about how suicide can affect families.

She said: "I think a lot of people don't have the support and don't know about it which is why I'm so glad and grateful to have had the support group.

"I do know about people who haven't had it and it might have helped them at the time."

Since the launch of Choose Life in 2002, Scotland's suicide rate has decreased by 18%.

In the past two years, more than 200 social work staff working with young people and homeless people have been trained in suicide prevention techniques.

Every Glasgow school now also has someone trained in these techniques to help staff talk to young people who may be feeling suicidal and link them to support.

Pauline Toner, Choose Life co-ordinator in Glasgow City, said: "Starting a conversation is half the battle.

"You don't need to have an answer to their problems - just be there for them, try to listen carefully without judging, and show that you care."

For more information about Choose Life visit www.glasgow.gov.uk/chooselife.

lSome details have been changed to protect people's identities.

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk