Stoke City players are throwing their weight behind a new campaign to help reduce the number of suicides in Staffordshire.

Sadly, 10 lives are lost to suicide each month across the county, with men in their 40's and 50's in the highest category.

Now, the club have partnered with local councils and health partners to help raise awareness of the issue and make it easier for people to talk about it.

Players kicked off the campaign before Friday night's game against Watford which included messages from first team players, Tyrese Campbell and Sam Clucas

Campbell said: "I am really proud that we as a Club are supporting the #TalkSuicide campaign. Raising awareness of this campaign and issue may encourage people who are struggling, to seek help. It could save lives."

A dedicated webpage on the Club's website has information and advice to help people spot the signs and be comfortable to talk about it.

Clucas added: "The #TalkSuicide campaign is looking to get over 1000 people across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire to watch this awareness and training session and I'd encourage as many of our supporters as possible to watch the video and understand how we can all help to prevent suicide."

Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council said: "It's great to have the support of Stoke City Football Club and their players for our latest #TalkSuicide campaign.

"We know that suicide has a devastating effect on families and the wider community and sadly it's men who are more likely to be affected. We also know that men are less willing to talk about suicide or their feelings, so again having the players encouraging them that it's ok to talk about it is great."

The #TalkSuicide campaign is calling on individuals, communities, organisations and businesses to show their support by signing up to the campaign and taking action to help prevent suicide.

Cllr Ally Simcock, cabinet member for adult social care and health care at Stoke-on-Trent City Council added: "Suicide is not an easy subject to talk about and there are unfortunately still a lot of myths and preconceptions around suicide and mental health. Suicide sadly leaves friends and communities across the country and our own city devastated. Therefore, it's so important we all talk to each other about how we're really feeling to help break the stigma and save lives."

Dr Waheed Abassi, Clinical Director Mental Health for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs said: "Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent we're committed to preventing suicide.

"Suicide prevention is very complicated and challenging. It relies on statutory, voluntary and independent sector organisations working effectively together. We're all in this together."

Prem Singh, Chair of Together We're Better, the health and care partnership for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent said: "Suicide is a complex issue that has been made more difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic which has made more people feel isolated and caused so much uncertainty and placed extra strain on relationships. However help has never stopped being available to people who need it and I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their mental health to seek support. It will be delivered in a way that is supportive and COVID safe."