Nothing can prepare you for the lasting impacts of suicide, an Assembly Member has said.

Jack Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, has spoken about how suicide has impacted him and his family and how we must all do more to support each other.

During a debate about preventing suicide, the AM said it was about time they were discussing the extremely important issue in the Senedd chamber.

He added: "Nothing can prepare you for the lasting impact of suicide.

"It’s devastating and the effects on family members and loved ones can be severe and far-reaching.

"The ripple effect in particular hits you and it’s hit me – It’s impacted close friends as well as friends of friends.

"Some days, the ripples will be small and I think I’m making progress. On other days, I struggle to get out of bed.

"Unfortunately, friends and family of those who have committed suicide experience impacts on their own mental health. Learning that someone you love has died by suicide is traumatic enough."

Carl Sargeant, former AM, was found dead at his own home in 2017 and was one of 360 that year to have taken his own life in Wales.

Mr Sargeant said it is a horrible feeling knowing his dad was one of those 360 and it is equally terrifying that thousands of others have suicidal thoughts.

He said: "In preparing for my contribution, I thought back to something me and mum stumbled across when we were going through dad’s clothes after his death.

"Whenever we used to look inside his suit jackets, we often found a pen that wasn't working, broken glasses or a white ribbon.

"But on this occasion we found a piece of paper, a menu from a town council ball in Connah's Quay, and on the back it had written these words that he was going to make his speech on: 'Edrych ar ol ein gilydd' – 'look after each other'.

"And it’s in that spirit that I want to focus my contribution on today."

The Deeside AM has spoken openly about his own mental health and has pledged to help others since he won his election by a majority in 2018.

Assembly Members at the Senedd debated on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee report: Everybody's Business: A Report on Suicide Prevention in Wales.

Mr Sargeant told members that the feelings of guilt, anger, confusion and distress are amongst those that have had a long-term effect on him and impacts others in different ways as well.

He also paid tribute to Abbie Pennell from Pontypridd who was in the news recently for speaking out about the impacts of suicide following the death of her father.

He added: "

She was completely right about the need for support of those bereaved by suicide, and I must say I respect her bravery.

"We must all do more to support each other. I don’t want another family to go through what we’re continuing to go through.

"And going back to what I mentioned at the very beginning of my speech. Let’s remember those words that dad had on a piece of paper in his jacket; 'Edrych ar ol ein gilydd' - look after each other."