“Important work” is being done to prevent vulnerable people in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire from taking their own lives, according to campaign groups.

In Renfrewshire 16 people were recorded taking their own life during 2016, a 23 per cent decrease from the 21 recorded incidents the previous year.

Within a five-year timeframe, 112 people took their own life between 2012 and 2016, in comparison to 159 during 2011 and 2015.

Seventy-five were men, down from 130 during the previous period. The number of women who took their own life increased from 29 between 2007 and 2011 to 37 between 2012 and 2016.

In East Renfrewshire there was no change in the number of recorded suicides year-on-year, with eight in 2015 and 2016.

Between 2012 and 2016, 42 deaths in East Renfrewshire were deemed intentional, in comparison to 45 during the previous five years.

More than 30 of these were men which was a slight decrease from 32 during the previous timeframe. The number of women who took their own life fell from 13 between 2007 and 2011 to 11 between 2012 and 2016.

The figures show East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire is largely bucking the trend compared to the rest of the country as the number of suicides recorded across Scotland rose last year by eight per cent.

There were 728 cases in 2016, up from 672 the previous year. The Information Services Division Scotland statistics revealed men were more than twice as likely as females to take their own lives.

Rosemary Mullan, Renfrewshire’s Choose Life service co-ordinator, said: “It is vital that support is available to help families in Renfrewshire cope with the loss of a loved one to suicide.

“The suicide rate in Renfrewshire has fallen each year since 2011 which highlights the important work being completed, but we recognise the immeasurable distress that the loss of one person can cause to families and local communities.

“Therefore, as part of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, the dedicated Choose Life team works with those affected and aims to create Suicide Safer Communities.

“An integral part of this work is the provision of free training for professionals and community members to ensure they feel confident in responding to someone may be suicidal. This training aims to dispel the myths around suicide including the idea that talking about suicide will encourage attempts, when in fact the opposite is true. Discussing thoughts of suicide can be a source of relief and can be key to preventing the immediate danger.

“Those who have lost a loved one to suicide are at an increased risk so a local Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) group was created in Renfrewshire which aims to reduce the isolation and distress experienced by those bereaved.

“This group, combined with annual events such as the memorial tree service at Renfrewshire House and the No Substitute for Life football tournament, ensures that support is available for those who need it and we would encourage anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one to contact us if they need assistance.”

An East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson added: “We work closely with a range of organisations including RAMH in providing support to our most vulnerable residents. We offer training courses that equip our staff to feel more confident in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide, and are committed to the implementation of the Choose Life National Strategy across the authority.”

Anyone seeking information from the Choose Life team can call 0141 849 2200.

The national helpline Breathing Space can be reached on 0800 83 85 87, and the number for The Samaritans is 116 123.