FAMILIES trying to cope with the sudden death of a young person are finding that simply talking to someone, who has suffered similar anguish, helps.

A team of trained specialists has been established as part of a dedicated programme which supports people after the tragedy of the sudden cardiac death of a young person aged 35 or under.

It is offered as part of the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) campaign which incorporates a network of Bereavement Supporters who have themselves been affected by a young sudden cardiac death.

MP Alan Brown was made aware of the effect this can have on loved ones when he spoke to a student who had experienced such a loss and had turned to the charity.

He has now joined a growing band of Scottish MPs who are giving their backing to the campaign.

CRY is urging all MPs to sign a pledge to support a National Strategy for the Prevention of Young Sudden Cardiac Death to help save young lives.

Signing the pledge earlier this week, Mr Brown said: “ Any preventative measure which can help save young lives is to be welcomed.

“That’s why I am pleased to give my support to CRY’s awareness campaign.

“CRY estimate that there are at least 12 young sudden cardiac deaths every week in the UK , of young people aged 35 and under.”

Studies carried out by the charity discovered that no matter how much professional support is offered, either medical or therapeutic, sometimes a different approach is more beneficial.

Just speaking to someone who has been through a similar experience, or reading their personal stories, can help more.

CRY’s Founder, Alison Cox, developed the bereavement support programme with this in mind.

She said: “When I started CRY, I was told I was wasting my time and that it was so rare it wasn’t worth doing anything about — there was only one death a week.

“We now know there could be as many as 16 deaths a week. There’s a great deal more going on than people recognise.”

Visit www.c-r-y.org.uk for more information.