IN BRIEF

Suicide prevention football tourney

Over 300 people participated in the annual seven-a-side football tournament held by Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire.

The event took place yesterday (Wednesday, September 12) at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

It was being held as part of Suicide Prevention Week and included players from Motherwell FC, Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers, Clyde as well as representatives from Rangers and Celtic.

A council spokesperson said: “Tragically, suicide continues to devastate communities right across North Lanarkshire, with 40 people taking their own lives last year and 680 people across Scotland dying by suicide. These figures are truly shocking, with males between the ages of 34 and 54 almost three times more likely to take their own lives than any other group.

“As a council, and in partnership with other public sector and voluntary organisations, we are trying to do all we can to raise awareness that there is help available.”