Action to stop more Bridgend suicides

Jenna Parry was found dead in woods at Cefn Cribwr

Plans are being made to try and stop more suicides in Bridgend in South Wales.

One of the ideas is to provide mental health counsellors in all schools in the area.

There have now been 17 suspected suicides among young people in the county in just over a year.

Police say that are not linked, just that they were all "young people with big issues".

However, there are now calls for a suicide prevention strategy to be implemented across the whole country.

Where is Bridgend?

These deaths have been spread across the county of Bridgend. It's a big area that includes the town of Bridgend and villages around it. More than 130 000 people live there.

Who has died?

Seventeen people under the age of 26 have apparently taken their own lives in the county since January 2007.

The most recent death was Jenna Parry. The 16-year-old was found hanged in woodland in the county on Tuesday.

Last week, two cousins were found dead. Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, died in hospital after "harming himself" and his cousin Kelly Stephenson, 20, was found hanged whilst on holiday in Kent.

What do local people say?

Officers have reviewed the 17 deaths and say that there is no evidence of a link. They have criticised parts of the media for sensational coverage of the suspected suicides.

Some local people think that the problem is being exaggerated.

Carwyn Jones, the Welsh Assembly Member for Bridgend, told Newsbeat: "We have had 17 in just over a year, in Bridgend, out of a population of a hundred and thirty thousand. It's not an alarmingly high statistic."

Latest statistics suggest that fewer young men in England and Wales are dying by suicide than at any time in the last 30 years.

Where to go to get help?

Samaritans offer confidential advice 24 hours a day. Call 08457 909090

Childline 0800 1111.

Papyrus are specialists in preventing young suicide 01978 367333.

BBC Action on 0800 055 055 will put you in touch with someone who can help.