Help group for grieving families

Noel and Janet Taylor were devastated when their 23-year-old son, Malcolm, killed himself more than a year ago.

Although Malcolm had been on medication for depression for two years he seemed to be picking up his life. He had become engaged to his girlfriend and bought a new car. But in March, 2000 he took a fatal overdose.

Mrs Taylor of Warwick Street, Leigh, said: "Malcolm was very out-going and always happy-go-lucky.

"He seemed so happy at the time. We had no idea, but that's just it -- with suicide you never do."

The couple found help through a support group in Cheshire run by the SOBS -- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity -- meeting other families in the same situation.

Mrs Taylor explained: "Losing someone to suicide isn't like losing someone to cancer or a road accident -- you have to come to terms with the fact that they chose to die. It goes against the laws of nature for a child to die before their parents."

The couple, along with accident and emergency nurse Lewis Garrett, have now set up their own local branch of the group, which will be held at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"We received so much help and support from others we want to give something back," said Mrs Taylor. "By sharing our experiences we hope to help others come to terms with their grief. The meetings will be informal. There will be no pressure."

Statistics show the suicide rate among young males is on the increase, with 4,694 deaths recorded in the UK in 1999 with the stresses of modern society being the main cause.

A spokesman for SOBS said: "It is the male role to achieve, provide and support. Pressures felt from trying to succeed are generally the root cause of suicide."

The first meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday, August 23 at the hospital's eye unit, with following meetings taking place on the third Thursday of each month.

For more information call the national SOBS helpline on 0870 241 3337 or the Bolton branch on 01942 201744.