A Christian public policy charity is calling for better signposting to health services for those looking up assisted dying online.

CARE has long campaigned against assisted dying, despite activists bringing the issue further and further into the limelight.

The charity is warning media outlets that they ought to share links to support services for those that might be triggered by, or considering, ending their life via assisted dying.

Michael Veitch, a spokesman for the charity, said: “There's been fresh coverage of assisted suicide at the start of this week, including a story about a UK woman who wants to travel abroad to take her own life.

“We would encourage all mainstream outlets covering this issue to signpost to support services for people at risk of suicide who could be deeply affected by this coverage.

“Many outlets do signpost to organisations that help vulnerable people as a matter of course, and we’d like to see this across all UK outlets.

“We also wish to put on record our opposition to the term ‘assisted dying’, a campaigning term that has no standing in law.

“Campaigners want to see lethal medication given to people so they can end their lives - something radically different from existing end-of-life care. ‘Assisted suicide’ is a more accurate and honest term for what is involved in activists’ proposals.”

In recent days, the BBC announced a new commission – a film written and presented by disability rights activist Liz Carr.

In it, she promises to “shine a light” on the “many grey areas in an often one sided debate.”

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can contact Premier’s confidential Christian helpline, Lifeline, on: 0300 111 0101