North Lanarkshire Council have been forced to issue a grovelling apology after posting that "suicidal thoughts are not an illness". 

Dozens of people hit out at the local authority on Facebook after the post last night, which has since been deleted, which suggested the  the "strength and personality" of those suffering will "get them through it."

The post read: "Suicidal thoughts are not an illness.

"Everyone has an individual story and worries of their own. 

"It's personal you, your background, your experiences and your history."

Glasgow Times: North Lanarkshire Council's Facebook post ,which has been deletedNorth Lanarkshire Council's Facebook post ,which has been deleted

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It continued: "Your strength and personality will get you through it.

"By telling and sharing your story you can help yourself and others.

"Never give up on yourself or those you care about".

The council say the post was never intended to cause distress, but locals described the post as "condescending and unhelpful".

Shocking figures released by NHS Lanarkshire back in September show that 406 people took their own life in the area between 2014 and 2018.  

A number of people expressed their outrage on the post before it was deleted.

Glasgow Times: More than 400 people have taken their own lives in Lanarkshire between 2014 and 2018More than 400 people have taken their own lives in Lanarkshire between 2014 and 2018

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Claire Lafferty wrote: "Seriously, this was approved to go out?

"With all the stigma that portrayed with mental health etc, this is shocking. 

"It's real, it's serious, and it's an illness. People do not choose it."

Emma Paterson added: "You have got to be joking?

"Are you seriously telling people that feeling suicidal isn't a part of mental health?

"You badly need to educate yourself...I'm not offended easily but this post has really disgusted me. 

"There is a massive rise in suicide because people do not take it seriously. Shame on you".

Ash Rogers commented: "This is a terrible post, despite your good intentions.

"If you are someone who has suicidal thoughts and you are reading this, please please please do not take this post in the way it is written.

"You are not weak and there is nothing wrong with your personality."

And Izzy Conway said: "I had to read this twice, I couldn't believe the wording, I thought I had misread it.

"Words fail me. This is beyond shocking and where's a link for people to contact if they are struggling?

"What purpose does this post serve exactly? Disgraceful."

North Lanarkshire Council apologised for the post, adding they are "committed" to helping people.

A spokesperson for Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire said: “We apologise if our social media post about suicide prevention caused upset.

"This was certainly not the intention and we fully understand the sensitivities around this subject and that many people may experience mental ill health and suicidal thoughts at any point in their life.

"We are committed to offering support and advice through our suicide prevention campaign to anyone concerned about suicide or worried about someone with suicidal thoughts.”

If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can call the Samaritans at any time from any phone for free on 116 123