A SUICIDE awareness and prevention conference has spread its message of hope at an annual event.

Creative Options and Good Mental Health Co-operative collaborated to bring the Hampshire Festival of the Mind to Southampton.

'Its about hope' was the conference's message, which took place across Monday and Tuesday.

More than 70 delegates took part in an array of events, such as a sponsored 'Walk of Hope', which invited people to walk from darkness into the light.

The walk, which took place at Lepe Beach, raised £350 for the charity.

People also viewed a number of exhibitions on Monday - which was World Suicide Prevention Day - at Central Baptist Church, on Devonshire Road.

At the church, a number of people shared inspiring stories of hope and poetry.

Music was provided by the Ukelele Jam.

Participants were invited to visit the 'river of hope' and paint fishes with positive messages on them and place in the river.

The aim of the conference is to raise the awareness of issues around suicide, reduce stigma, encourage people to seek help before reaching crisis point, and ensure appropriate support and services are available.

Other local groups and enterprises involved with the festival included SoCo Music Project, Touch Network, and the Natural Voice Network.