Suicide alert for working-class men

THE Samaritans have launched a hard-hitting new campaign designed to save the lives of working class Scotsmen, who are three times more likely to kill themselves than women.

The Samaritans launched their poster campaign yesterday in a bid to cut the rate of suicide among working class ScotsPicture: PA

The advertising campaign featuring a boxer and with the theme Men on the Ropes is targeted at those men who are least likely to ask for help, but most likely to bear the brunt of the current economic crisis.

Showing a boxer with his hands on the ropes with the tagline: "A Samaritan helped me find my strength", it is aimed at working class Scotsmen in their 30s, 40s and 50s, who are most likely of all to die by suicide.

The posters will be prominently displayed in Scotland's railways as part of partnership with Network Rail that aims to reduce suicides on railways by 20 per cent. Last year, 549 men in Scotland killed themselves, while 17 people took their own lives on Scotland's railways.

As part of the new campaign, the charity released the findings of a series of in-depth interviews with men around Britain, including five on the Pollok estate in Glasgow.

The research found that most acknowledged that they did not discuss their emotions with friends or colleagues because this would be seen as weak.

Some were or had been long-term depressed due to extended periods of unemployment, family break-down, or drug and gambling problems, and thought that their circumstances would not get any better.

Yesterday, Andrew Sim, who recently took over as director for the Samaritans in Scotland, said: "We believe that many men don't feel able to talk about their feelings and, instead, either bottle them up or let them spiral out of control, sometimes with tragic consequences."

Among those backing the campaign were two figures from the world of Scottish boxing, Tommy Gilmour, the boxing promoter and owner of the St Andrews Sporting Centre, and Gary McArthur, the British Masters lightweight champion, who works as a labourer between bouts.

Mr Gilmour said he knew many men who struggled with depression and would encourage them to talk about their feelings.

"If you cut yourself, the wound is visible, people can see that something is wrong, but people don't know what is going on inside other people's heads. We need to talk out our troubles.

The Samaritans can be reached on 08457 909090.

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Gary McArthur, 28, British Master lightweight champion boxer and Glasgow Labourer:

"I deal with my depression myself. I'm a typical guy from Glasgow who doesn't show much emotion. I think it's because there is this image that it's not natural for a man to talk about his feelings and admit I'm really low and need help at the moment.

"It's even more difficult because I'm meant to be this solid stone, larger than life character. Sometimes its hard to uphold the image. I have suicidal thoughts all the time. I don't really know why. I can't blame one thing, but thankfully I 've never tried to make it a reality."