Concern over alarming rate of young men taking their lives
A men's mental health charity is telling us about their concerns over trends of young males taking their own lives
Trigger Warning This article contains mention of suicide.
A leading men's mental health charity say they're growing increasingly concerned about the levels of young men taking their own lives.
In recent weeks and months there have been various high profile examples of males in their 20's taking their own lives across Scotland.
The charity Men Matter Scotland say they've seen a trend of more younger people - including those in their 20's and even teens - coming to them, saying they're struggling with their mental health.
They say urgent action is needed to save lives.
Speaking to MFR news, Chair Tom Elvin said:
"We have seen the demographic change from being 40 something men to being 20 something and very, very sadly - and more worrying - slipping into teenagers as well.
"That is an incredible concern for us and should be an incredible concern for everyone else.
"Any death at any age is way too much, but we are seeing the age range from people committing suicide, and attempting to commit suicide, slipping into very, very young age groups - which is a tremendous change from what we've seen before."
Elvin tells us the issues vary for people, but some are specific to younger men.
He explains: "There are some issues around family, around perhaps girlfriends and wives, around dependency around drink and drugs.
"There is obviously the cost of living impact that we are all seeing just now.
"In terms of younger people, you used to be able to switch off, now you can't.
"Social media is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
"Getting the ability to switch off and perhaps get a bit of respite is being removed, and I think that has something to do with why the demographic is changing to such a young age."
Elvin and Men Matter would like to see more focus on funding preventative measures to help people with their mental health before it's too late.
"Every single suicide that we experience cost the tax payer circa £1 Million pounds." Tom tells us.
"Between the six months leading up to the suicide, and the six months after the suicide - for emergency services, bereavement counselling - all the things that are associated with suicide.
"In 2021, there were 720 odd suicides in Scotland alone - that's £720 Million worth of tax payers money that is being paid to deal with this.
"If we invest a far smaller amount up-front to prevent, to raise awareness, to put mitigating measures in place, it must help us get better."
If you feel you need help with your mental health, you can find out more about Men Matter Scotland here.
You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org