Two islanders' suicides at difficult time of year

January can be a bleak month for many people and tragically it is a time of year when suicide rates rise.

In the first few days of 2012, two Islanders took their own lives. The inquests were opened today. They were both Jersey-born men who committed suicide by hanging themselves.

Jersey has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. It is usually unmarried men who choose to take their own lives.

On average 13 people a year commit suicide in Jersey, although in 2009 the number reached 25 and in 2010 it was 8.

Many do talk to their GP about depression in the 12 months leading up to their death. But only a fraction go on to use the mental health service.

The Jersey's Heath Department is working on a five-year plan to improve their support services - to make sure vulnerable men with depression get help before it is too late.

If you are suffering from depression and need to talk to someone, get in touch with either your local GP, the Mental Health Department 01534 443220, Mind Jersey 0800 7359404, The Samaritans 08457 909090.

Or if you are a family member or friend bereaved by suicide, contact Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) on 0800 7351017.(from CTV)

the mental health facilities in guernsey are dire...one ward is available at the castel..alcoholics,drug addicts etc are being treated alongside people with real mental health probs..thereis no aftercare in the island for people with mental health probs or alcoholics etc...they are doped up whilst in castel but then sent home way before they should be because of a shortness of beds.