Leeds support group: "Too many men in Leeds still consider suicide as an option..."

As the UK's male suicide rate falls to its lowest level on record, Andy's Man Club in Leeds tell Radio Aire "we can't ever become complacent".

Andy Wilson, who runs the Leeds branch, wants to see the conversation continue well into the future to ensure the hard work that's been achieved already isn't undone.

A total of 5,821 suicides were registered last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, down from 5,965 in 2016.

Some 4,382 were male suicides, at a rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 men.

The rate is the lowest since when the data was first recorded in 1981, the ONS said.

Samaritans said efforts to reduce stigma around men's mental health may have contributed to the fall, but warned that males are still three times more likely to die from suicide than females.

Across the UK, the suicide rate in 2017 was 10.1 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the lowest observed on record, the ONS said.

Some 1,439 female suicides were recorded and made up around 25% of the total in the UK, compared to 75% who were male.

Ruth Sutherland, Samaritans chief executive, said: "It's encouraging to see the reduction in male suicide.

"We believe that the focus of suicide prevention in recent years to tackle the higher rates in men has contributed to this.

"Added to this, reducing stigma around men's mental health and encouraging men to open up and ask for help when they are struggling has been beneficial.

"But one death by suicide is still one too many.

"So, this is an urgent public health issue, not simply a health or mental health one.''

Andy's Man Club meet at Leeds College of Building, North Stree,t Leeds, LS2 7QT - every Monday at 7pm. You can find out more here.