The programme trains people to help anyone feeling suicidal

Safe Talk is a training scheme which teaches professionals to recognise warning signs and how to deal with them through early intervention.

Following a successful six-month pilot project in the south west, it is now being made available across Scotland.

Choose Life co-ordinator Jocelyn Rose said proper training was important to help deal with anyone feeling suicidal.

The programme forms part of national plans to reduce suicide rates in Scotland by 20% by 2013.

A report for councillors found Dumfries and Galloway had followed national trends, which saw figures rise between 1981 and 2001, but dip slightly by 2004.

Dispel myths

Ms Rose said the Safe Talk training could make a real difference and reduce suicide rates by providing more people with the skills to help.

"It will also help to get rid of some of the myths about suicide - one of which is that if you talk about it then people are more likely to do it," she said.

She said that, in fact, the exact opposite was often the case.

"People who are having thoughts of suicide, the majority of them are not really wanting to die but they just can't see any other way out," she said.

"If they were to meet someone who would talk to them about that and help them address those issues it is actually helpful, it does not make things worse."