Six smiling faces are displayed in a shop window, each with a tragedy behind them.

The people photographed had two things in common - they all died young and they all suffered with mental health issues.

They passed away within four years of each other - the oldest 42 and the youngest 22 - and they all lived in Dover.

The emotional display was put up by Sonia Williams, the sister of one of the men pictured, to raise awareness about mental health and to urge people to seek help.

The photographs are at Miss William's shop, Ziggy's Florist in Dover's High Street.

"I've just seen how many lives have been taken recently, quite close together," Miss Williams told KentOnline.

"In one town, I feel it's quite a lot.

"I just feel if we could save one person that's something.

"They might feel they're not worth it but they really are worth it - and the pain that's left behind is just unbearable."

It was Miss Williams' own brother's death that was the trigger for her to take action.

David 'Did' Williams, 39, from Aycliffe, a suburb of Dover, died suddenly on July 26.

The Chelsea supporter had four children and two step-children and was due to get married.

He worked as a handyman and was also a talented football coach for Hawkinge Town Youth Football Club and New Romney.

At the time of his death his daughter Chelsea, 19, urged people with anxieties not to bottle them up but to talk to someone.

She said: "Mental health is serious, take it day by day and stay strong."

Sarah Horn, 22, is also pictured in the poignant window display.

Miss Horn, who had a four-year-old daughter, died on April 10 last year.

She had bought a house with her fiance just four months before her death.

Her sister, Danielle Horn, says Sarah had mental health issues and an inquest this year ruled that her death was suicide.

Danielle told KentOnline: "I was at the shop when the display was there recently and a gentleman came in and talked about his son having PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

"It does not just affect the person suffering but everyone else around them. It has a ripple effect on the family.

"But from this experience I have found that there is also an emotional effect on emergency responders called out to these situations. They take it home with them.

"This is not just a case of raising awareness.

"Those are not just six photographs in the shop but six people who had lives and stories. Some had children like Sarah.

"Sarah was overwhelmed but this happens to people you don't expect it to.

"I saw her every day in her last six to seven years and I never saw it coming. It is still very raw for our family."

Daniel Underwood, 32, is also pictured.

He was found dead at this home in Coombe Valley Road, Dover, on February 22, 2019.

An inquest later heard that he had sought treatment for depression, had been prescribed medication by his GP and had a counselling session the day before he died.

The coroner, who heard Mr Underwood had struggled with his mental health for some time, recorded a verdict of suicide.

The other three whose photographs are shown are: Neil Harper, 42, who died on June 15, 2020; Connor Scott, 22, who passed away on June 29, 2020; and Debbie Lawson, 42, who died in October 2020.

The families have all agreed for their names, ages and dates of death to be publicised.

Miss Williams said: "I've always been aware and always tried to support the other families when I've seen them, and tried to raise money for mental health or awareness of mental health.

"Now that I'm part of that group that nobody wants to be part of, I feel I need to make sure that none of them have died in vain.

"I want to try to save somebody else from feeling that's the only way out."

The shop display, which will be kept until the end of October, also shows messages such as: "Please let's not lose any more. Please reach out and talk to someone if you need support."

Another says: "Our kettle works here. Always an ear to listen."

The issue has also been advertised on the shop's Facebook page, with a post reading: "We have lost these beautiful angels far too soon.

"Here at Ziggy’s we just want everyone to be aware of how serious mental health is."

Miss Williams, 45, says she is aware that men have a reputation of finding it harder to open up about their anxieties and emotions than women.

"Men feel it makes them weak - it makes them not a strong person - when really if you talk out you are as strong as the next person," she said.

"There is still a very big stigma around mental health."

Yesterday a cross-party group of MPs said the government has shown “a lack of urgency” in its approach to tackling male suicide.

They concluded the current political and public policy approach to the biggest killer of men under 50 is “not working”.

Miss Williams said: "There is just not enough support out there. People don't know who to turn to, where to go for help.

"I do feel that a lot more organisations need to come to the forefront and have a bit more funding."

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in England a total of 5,219 suicides were registered in the year 2021, a rate of 10.5 per 100,000 people,

The statistics show a male suicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000, compared to a female rate of 5.5 per 100,000.

Men aged 50 to 54 were found to have the highest rate at 22.5 per 100,000.

Mental health support group, LADS-Live, based at The Academy gym in Ladywell, Dover, say 84 men a week take their own lives and that 75% of all suicides are male.

The group's main aim is to normalise male mental health issues and bring men with like-minded concerns together.

Co-founder Wayne Morley, an ex-soldier, firefighter and boxer, said: "Men are often the head of the family and everybody there turns to them but they can find they've got no-one to turn to.

"There is stereotype that men are weak if they talk about their problems and if they keep talking about them they are seen as a moaner.

"Our base is in a masculine environment where we practice sports such as boxing, karate and jiu-jitsu but here men can come together and talk in a support group.

"I've had six guys tell me if it wasn't for this place they would have taken their own lives or self-harmed.

"If you're having problems, talk to someone - like your family, friends or doctor. It's as simple as that - it's when you begin to solve them."

The group's details can be found here.

Tracy Carr, founder of the Deal-based mental health charity Talk it Out, said: "When you are distressed it is hard to bring yourself out of it.

"When you're sitting on your own your thoughts can multiply so it is important to get yourself out through walking or cycling for example."

This charity has an allotment, based on the fact that physical activity is known to help with mental health.

Ms Carr added: "Talking is also very important and I think we have lost the art of conversation with the tap-tap of keyboards on social media.

"But it is also important to look out for other people's well-being. If you haven't heard from someone for a while, knock on their door or give them a phone call."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here.

The Samaritans highlight difficulties that can bring someone to distress such as relationship and family problems, bereavement, money troubles, job stress, physical illness, loneliness and depression.

The charity says signs of being in difficulty include lack of energy or feeling tired, finding it hard to think clearly or concentrate, feeling restless and agitated, feeling tearful, wanting to be alone and not talk to people, and resorting to alcohol or drugs.

The Samaritans are ready and waiting to listen to people's problems, and their website also lists ways on how to cope. This includes making time for yourself to relax and do things you enjoy, eating healthily and getting sleep and exercise, and spending time with people you love.