Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for calling me in this most important debate. Can I just start by paying tribute to Lynne Neagle, who is an outstanding voice and leader in this field, both as Chair of the committee, and in general in our debates here, and has done so much to hold the Government to account, to commend the Government when it's doing well, but also to remind it when there's still a huge gap that needs to be filled?

I think all of us who have served as Assembly Members for any length of time would have had casework in this area that's tender and very, very painful. I have to say at least two cases come to mind in my own experience, and the complication of the cases, the length of time required in our own efforts to support those affected, was immense, and of some value in terms of improving public services, but of course, by way of direct therapy, of no particular use to the people that we were supporting. And that's when I really did experience this insight that, for some of my constituents, the first time they were really talking to someone outside their immediate family or group of friends about this issue was when they'd come to talk about the difficulties they were having in accessing adequate support.

I have to say, I've also met people who have then spoken out—and Lynne talked about this—and given incredible witness. What an act of generosity it is, to come to a meeting here, perhaps, in the Oriel or the Neuadd, or indeed even in formal committee session, and indeed also in the all-party group that Lynne has established, and to talk about their experiences, to give that witness, so that others may be spared this terrible pain. And you were quite right, Lynne, to pay tribute to all those who have done that.

When suicide afflicts children and young people, it is, I think, overwhelmingly painful. And I do pay tribute here to the work of Swansea University and Public Health Wales for their recently published thematic study, which is a great help I think in giving us a fuller understanding. And this was a study of all those aged between 10 and 17 who probably suffered suicide. Their deaths were rarely due to a single reason, but a complex combination of risk factors, circumstances, and adverse experiences. But families will often blame themselves and suffer appalling guilt, which itself then increases the risk of suicide. And it's at that point, because it is a natural tendency I think for many, to ask the question, 'What could I have done?', or even to say, 'What didn't I do?' These are not justified questions. These circumstances are overwhelming, but they are the thoughts that come to mind, and they are dark and unpleasant thoughts, and thoughts that eat away at people's own resolve very often, unless they can talk them through, and then are supported by people who realise that this is the inevitable response, often, that people who have suffered this trauma will experience.

Clearly, bereavement services can play a crucial part in supporting those affected by suicide. The voluntary sector play a great role here, being highly innovative, and, as Lynne said, 2 Wish Upon a Star is a gold-standard example, in my opinion, of this. But there's also the likes of Cruse Bereavement Care Cymru. It provides support for about 360 people a year bereaved by suicide, providing one-to-one support and group support, but also giving incredible insight into the sorts of services that are required. And Cruse points out that it's critical that the right support is available at the right time, and that will be different for various people. Very structured approaches and therapeutic approaches may not be possible immediately or desired immediately by those affected, but then much needed later. So, you need to look at the whole case and whole pathway. But Cruse has pointed out that there are very limited counselling support services available to those bereaved by suicide, and I do think that that is something that we need to focus on this afternoon in our debate.

I do think it's proper to balance our remarks by commending the work that the Welsh Government has started. And I did notice from the mid-term review, conducted by Swansea University and Health Promotion Wales, that the Welsh Government's five-year suicide prevention strategy has achieved some excellent progress and made developing local suicide prevention action plans a reality, and that they are coming into play. But they all need to be looking at what bereavement services are available. That's a key area in terms of preventing suicide. As we've just heard, those that have had a close friend or relative that has suffered suicide are themselves at risk, but have also given us those insights that are needed to plan effective services. Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer.