After losing two sons to suicide, Christina McDermott more than understands its devastating impact - she has lived it.

The Dartford mother has spoken out as part of World Suicide Prevention Day today, where charities across the globe are urging us to open up, and talk about mental health.

Suicide is still the biggest killer of men under 45 in Kent, despite the number of people taking their own lives falling last year.

Despite showing no warning signs, William Pullman died after jumping off the QEII Bridge in Dartford in January 2012, aged just 25.

Four years later, in December 2015, his brother, Luke, was found dead. He was 38-years-old, and suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.

Heartbroken, Christina thinks about her children every day, and has raised money to support others dealing with mental illness.

She said: "Both men and women, young or old, if they have a problem, or think they are ill, they definitely need to talk to somebody.

"Just say something to somebody, whether its parents, friends, a mental health service or even a stranger.

"Both my boys died. My eldest one talked about it, but my youngest didn't, and if he had done, we'd have have had more of a chance.

"It is so important, if you notice a change in your child, no matter what age they are, bring up the subject."

Alongside William and Luke, Christina has two daughters, Emma, 44, and Bessie, 31, who has just qualified as a paediatric nurse.

After Luke died, he left Christina a small pension from a previous job, which was used to help fund Bessie's celebratory holiday.

Since the death of her sons, Christina has dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder, alongside retroperitoneal fibrosis - a rare condition which has been linked to trauma.

While she has received some help over the past six years, she thinks there should be more out there for people dealing with the suicide of a loved one.

The 62-year-old, of Blake Gardens, Dartford, said: "There needs to be some form of free counselling throughout, because suicide doesn't just affect parents.

"It affects family, friends, colleagues, everybody - it ricochets all the way through.

"Open up, talk, it is really, really important - and even if you can't get help, keep trying."

It's impossible to understand the grief Christina has been through - it's something she can't even put into words herself.

She has fond memories of both her sons, describing William as someone who was "always there when you needed him".

William and his brother loved to travel, and Luke also helped out at the Dartford Irish Club, where he was well-liked by regulars who called themselves the "Sunday Club".

Whether Christina is glancing at someone with a similar haircut to one of her sons, or looking at their pictures - proudly displayed in the living room - it is clear that William and Luke will never be forgotten.

Today, new funding has been announced for community-based Kent projects, aimed at reducing the number of people taking their own lives.

Groups are being offered between £500 and £5,000 to support projects designed to prevent suicide and reduce self harm.

A total of £82,000 has been made available, of which £15,000 will be reserved for helping young people.

The scheme is being led by health providers and local authorities from the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

Any community group, charity or organisation can apply at kent.gov.uk/savinglives until Thursday, October 11.

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Samaritans helpline on 116 123, 24 hours a day.

Kent County Council's Release the Pressure campaign can also offer support - call 0800 1070160 or visit releasethepressure.uk for more information.