Emmerdale and sporting stars back the city's suicide prevention drive

Leeds is rallying behind a new suicide prevention campaign backed by TV stars and sporting celebs, urging people to help turn the tide on the city's higher-than-average death rate.

- by James Connolly

Actors from the cast of ITV soap Emmerdale appear in a new film alongside sports stars Leeds United player Brenden Aaronson and Leeds Rhinos captain Cameron Smith to rally people across Leeds and beyond to work together and prevent suicide.

The film, compiled by Leeds City Council's public health team, encourages people to sign up as West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Champions, to reduce stigma, share messages of hope and connect those in need to potentially lifesaving support and resources.

Anyone can sign up as a champion - by watching a 20-minute video, completing an online form and making a pledge, big or small, about how they plan to promote suicide prevention at home, in the community, at work or online.

Champions can then download a digital badge, an information pack and access an array of campaign resources to help spread the word.