AS I WRITE this column, I am preparing to take part in an Assembly debate this week on preventing suicide.

It’s a debate on the recent report published by the Assembly’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee following its inquiry into suicide prevention. Although I’m no longer a member of the committee, taking part in this inquiry was sobering.

We heard the experiences of people who’ve suffered the devastating effects of suicide, and we heard evidence about the measures that could be adopted here in Wales to address this national emergency.

Last week I met the mother of a young woman who took her own life. This mother’s life had been shattered, and she wanted answers. She wanted to know if there was help that could have been offered to her daughter, that could, just perhaps, have led to a different outcome. She wanted those answers not only for herself, but so other families might be spared what she has had to endure.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in Wales. And it’s preventable! Imagine as many young men were dying from a preventable physical illness. Everything would be thrown at it, to ensure people got the help they need.

Our committee concluded that there needs to be more awareness of issues surrounding suicide, more training and clearer paths through the health system to help those at risk of suicide. But central to our recommendations was that Welsh Government should take all necessary steps to ensure parity between physical and mental health care provision.

All too often I’ve hears constituents raise issues with me about difficulties in accessing mental health care. That often includes difficulties in accessing care for children or young people. This has to stop.

We are talking more about mental health now than we did in years gone by, and that’s a good thing. But there’s a long way to go. Remember that anyone can talk about mental health. A quarter of the population will have mental health problems at some stage. You will know people affected, and you might be affected yourself. So talk about it.

Rhun ap Iorwerth

Ynys Môn Assembly Member