A SHORT film designed to raise awareness of mental health in young people and prevent suicide will be made available in all Glasgow secondary schools.

The Bridge Curricular resource was developed at St Andrew's Secondary School by a member of the drama department and involves three 40 minute activities.

This was trialled and evaluated by 20 pupils from S5 and S6 who provided their feedback through a film that was made by the original producer.

The film to be shown in all Glasgow secondary schools until July 2023. It will be made available to all S5 and S6 pupils across the city early 2020 and will further contribute to the suicide prevention work that is ongoing in Glasgow's schools.

The opportunity arose when independent film production company, StoneScissorsPaper, made a film called Bridge which was released to the Glasgow Film Theatre in 2018.

The director and producer were keen to explore how the film, which was shot at Kelvin Bridge, could be used more widely to get across a suicide prevention message to people.

It was agreed that the council would explore the possibility of developing a curricular package for S5 and S6 pupils using the film as a focus to base further work around mental health and how people can support one another to prevent suicide.

All Glasgow secondary schools have access to counsellors. Life Link provides support though an NHS contract which is in place until June this year.

The Scottish Government has made funding available for counselling to be delivered in schools to pupils aged 10 and over.

There is commitment to fund counselling services in schools for the next three years with Glasgow receiving £1.3 million from April 2020.

READ MORE: PwC employees walk from darkness to light to tackle mental health stigma

Every year, one in ten young people experience a mental health problem. More than three quarters of mental health problems have an onset by the age of 20.

At least 11 per cent of 18-34 year-olds have reported an attempt of suicide and 16 per cent a report of self harm at some point in their lives.

Suicide is the largest cause of mortality for young people under 35. Young people facing mental health issues are eight times more likely to have contact with criminal justice services compared to those without.

Children affected by learning disabilities are four times more likely to have a diagnosable mental health problem and 40 per cent of LGBT young people considered themselves to be affected by their mental wellbeing.

A working group, set up by the City Council's education services in 2018, identified a need for specific guidance for schools and other establishments, on what a mental health and wellbeing policy should include.

There is already a policy but it was felt that due to the amount of media publicity on the topic, more guidance was needed.

READ MORE: Glasgow City Council's group on male mental health takes first step

A template was developed for all educational facilities in Glasgow and was introduced by a series of workshops - led by the Educational Improvement Services (EdIS).

Key themes of this new guidance included highlighting the names of lead members of staff, at a school or early learning facility, who are trained in specific interventions including mental health first aid and Applied Suicide Skills Intervention Training (ASSIT) .

It also promotes teaching about mental health, warning signs and sign posting to support when a concern is raised.

READ MORE: Heartbroken pals of tragic Glasgow woman Lexi Carmichael in mental health awareness plea

Over the past four years education services has offered training to pupils in S5 and S6 on SafeTALK.

This is a suicide awareness intervention accredited by NHS Education Scotland. This prepares young people to ask another person if they are thinking about suicide and then helping them to access more specialist support.

The education committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the initiatives being used and will ask for future updates and developments.