THE mother of a tragic chef who killed himself, aged 19, has called for more schools across Bolton to tackle suicide-related issues in the classroom.

Susan Edwards wants teachers to encourage pupils to discuss their feelings and fears in an attempt to help stem rising levels of teenage suicides across the country.

Her son Lewis committed suicide on August 6 last year by hanging himself with a belt from a bannister at the family home in Thorncliffe Road, Sharples.

His body was found by a burglar who raided the house when Lewis's parents were on holiday.

Mrs Edwards, a tutor at Blackburn College, said: "The statistics show that the levels of suicide among youngsters, particularly young men, are very high.

"A lot of young people feel isolated and they should be encouraged to talk about their problems as part of their school life.

"The pupils have Personal and Social Education (PSE) lessons in their schools and this should become a part of it.

"They cover a lot of social issues like abortion and racism so suicide should be included. It definitely should be part of the curriculum.

"Young people must be encouraged to talk about their disappointments and failures and they must be shown that disappointments and failures are all a part of life."

Latest figures show 19,000 young people a year attempt to commit suicide -- one every 30 minutes.

The Samaritans say that more men aged under 25 commit suicide in Britain in a year than are killed by cancer or road accidents.

And death by suicide accounts for the deaths of 20 per cent of all young people aged between 15 and 24, 12 per cent between 15 and 19.

"I think schools have a very important part to play in this," Mrs Edwards said. "From the general feedback I have been getting, I do not think that enough is being done about it. I think it should become part of the national curriculum."

Mrs Edwards said topics including relationships, depression, sex, money problems and peer pressure should all be tackled in a bid to stave off the potential for youngsters to commit suicide.

She also said targeting college leavers, especially those preparing for university, should be introduced.

"It would be a very difficult topic to discuss in schools. We don't want to put ideas in anyone's head but they should be encouraged to talk more."

A spokesman for the Bolton-branch of the Samaritans, based in Bark Street East, said: "We do go into schools and talk to teenagers about this problem. We would welcome the opportunity to go into more schools. A team of volunteers do go out and talk to the children to increase their awareness.

"We show videos and encourage small discussion groups using scenarios. Then we get them to discuss how the person could be best helped. But obviously we could do more if we had more volunteers."

To register as a volunteer, Bolton Samaritans can be contacted day and night by phone on 01204 521200, minicom 01204 531122, or visit the office at 16, Bark Street East, Bolton.