Landmarks to shine light on suicide prevention

Landmarks across Essex are being lit up green to shine a light on suicide prevention.

Colchester Castle, City Beach in Southend-on-Sea and the Hollywood-style Basildon sign will all feature in the initiative, running on Thursday.

Public buildings to be illuminated will include Chelmsford's County Hall and council offices in Clacton-on-Sea, Harlow and Epping.

"Every life lost to suicide is one too many," said Dr Matthew Sweeting, executive medical director at NHS Essex.

"Behind every statistic is a person, a family, friends and a community whose lives are changed forever."

A total of 145 people may have taken their own lives in Essex in 2025, according to figures from the county's police force.

People have been encouraged to take a free suicide prevention training course during Thursday's campaign.

Lynne Morgan, the chief executive of Thurrock and Brentwood Mind, said: "Grief following suicide can be devastating, but hope remains.

"The greatest tribute we can pay to those we have lost is to keep talking, keep supporting one another and continue working together to prevent future suicides."

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