Sellafield employees have been urged to speak up and ask for help if they are struggling with their mental health.

The call, made last Thursday on World Suicide Prevention Day, encouraged any of the thousands of Sellafield staff members to reach out to one of the organisation's many mental health champions.

These individuals are trained in mental health first aid, can offer support and can signpost people to the right organisations if they need more help.

A Sellafield spokesman said: "We have a network of over 150 mental health champions, with more mental health first aiders within our supply chain.

"Last week it was announced that male suicides are at the highest level for two decades.

"The data, from the Office for National Statistics also shows that suicide rates among females aged 10 to 24 have increased 'significantly' since 2012.

"This is worrying news for us all.

"The shocking suicide figures demonstrate the importance of tackling suicide and using World Suicide Prevention Day to talk about the issue is one way we can do this.

"Here at Sellafield, we are keen to remind people of the support that is available to anyone that is suffering from mental health problems."

Sellafield have also been running mental health and wellbeing workshops, on a range of topics.

Fifty sessions have been held so far, for 400 people.

Further workshops will be run in the coming weeks, on facts and statistics surrounding suicide, as well as on myths and preconceptions around the issue, what some of the warning signs are and where to get support.