Professor Rory O’Connor, from Glasgow University, delivered a fascinating talk to parents and staff about understanding suicide and self-harm in young people.

Professor O’Connor is a renowned expert in the field and spoke intelligently and with compassion last night at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools.

Zoe Lingham, a management training consultant, said: “It was a very informative talk around suicidal awareness with interesting facts given which made me consider different ways of dealing with situations.”

And Rebecca Thomas, who was also in the audience, said: “Everything that Professor O’Connor said was interesting and pertinent.

“Until we have a more open dialogue about suicide then we cannot find effective ways to combat suicide in teenagers and young people.”

Professor O’Connor also spoke to parents and staff at Monmouth Comprehensive School.

The schools are very grateful to Tracey and Lloyd Davies and the Mindstep Foundation for funding the event, making it possible for the community to understand this difficult issue better.