A new suicide prevention app to help people in Kent and Medway has been released by the NHS.

The health service says the 'groundbreaking app' called Stay Alive aims to help people struggling with suicidal thoughts to stay safe in a crisis.

The programme launched on the App Store and Google Play this week and can also be used by friends and family to raise concerns about someone else.

Along with general advice on keeping themselves safe, the app has features which can be customised which can be used when they are suffering specifically with difficult moments.

Patients can create a mini safety plan to give themselves notes of how to cope and people to call if they do not feel safe.

The app also has a LifeBox feature to upload photos reminding them of reasons to stay alive, details of people to contact during moments they are thinking about suicide.

It also provides a service to support recovery and help people turn away from their negative thoughts towards inspiration, ideas and staying healthy and positive.

"This app will give local people who are having suicidal thoughts easy access to their personal safety plan and reasons to stay alive" - Lauretta Kavanagh, Kent and Medway STP

The Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) has worked with a charity called Grassroots Suicide Prevention to develop the app.

Young people and adults with mental health problems have joined health professionals to create the features in the app.

Last week, it was announced 27 projects across Kent would be supported with £98,000 funding as part of a county-wide campaign called Saving Lives to reduce suicide and self-harm.

This is in addition to the Release the Pressure programme between charities, community groups, Kent County Council and NHS departments throughout Kent.

Lauretta Kavanagh, mental health programme director for Kent and Medway STP, said: "We all know how important phones have become in modern life.

"This app will give local people who are having suicidal thoughts easy access to their personal safety plan and reasons to stay alive, round the clock and wherever they are.

"And so, it will help them to stay safe through difficult times or a moment of crisis."

Suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged between 20 and 34 while men between 45 and 49 are the highest risk people from suicide in the country.

Professor Catherine Kinane, the clinical lead for mental health support, said the app was just one of many projects and services available for people suffering with suicidal thoughts.

She said: "We hope this app will go towards helping our most vulnerable when they really need it. It is also an invaluable tool for anyone who is worried about a family member or a friend."

Stay Alive is available on the Apple App Store and the Android Google Play.

To find out more about suicide help in Kent visit KCC's Release the Pressure campaign website or call Samaritans on 116 123.