THESE are just some of the signs appearing on bridges in Basingstoke in a bid to dissuade people from taking their own life.

A new Facebook group called Basingsigns for Mental health has been launched with the aim being to post positive, hand-written messages on bridges in the town to try to get people contemplating suicide from jumping.

The scheme is the brainchild of Natalie Smith, from South Ham, who has had her own battles with mental health.

The 33-year-old said: “I actually attempted to jump from a bridge a few years ago. I know if I saw a sign like these, it would make me stop.

“When you are in that dark place, you don’t think and you feel no-one loves you. That’s what these signs are for, to show someone they are loved.

“If this helps just one person, then it will be worth it.”

On Thursday last week, the first signs went out in South Ham with more being placed over the weekend.

Natalie added: “We had people saying to us ‘that’s really good, well done’. But we still need to do as many as possible to help as many people as we can.

“I saw on the news that they did something similar in Sunderland and apparently it has helped six people already. Then, there was also support for it on the Out of the Darkness Facebook group where a lot of people go to to reach out and talk.

“They supported me with the idea for Basingstoke.”

Natalie is asking for more people to come forward and help with the project, either by writing and placing laminated signs themselves or sending her signs which she will then laminate and place.

To join the group and find out more, search for ‘Basingsigns for Mental health’ on Facebook.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or at samaritans.org.