Doncaster Council has launched a high profile campaign that aims to reduce the number of male suicides across the borough.
Monday May 13 marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week in the UK and Doncaster Council have used this to launch a vital suicide prevention scheme: Another Way.
Latest figures show that in 2017 alone, 33 people in Doncaster took their lives through suspected suicide and across the UK there were 5,821 suicides registered. In the UK, men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women are.
The ‘Another Way’ campaign aims to get the message across to men that there are avenues for them to seek support and that talking to somebody will help. A short video has been produced that features men across Doncaster and focuses on a poem that has been drafted by a ‘survivor’ encouraging people to talk openly about how they’re feeling, either by speaking to friends and family, or by contacting supporting organisations such as the Samaritans.
To see a full list of other mental health awareness activities taking place throughout the week, visit www.yourlifedoncaster.co.uk/anotherway
Vanessa Ford, Director of the Doncaster Samaritans, said: “We know men can sometimes find it really hard to admit they are having trouble coping and reluctant to seek help. Doncaster Council’s film is powerful and we thank them for highlighting this important issue. At Doncaster Samaritans we do our best to make it easy to get in touch with Samaritans and talk to a volunteer if someone finds they are struggling to cope”.
If you’re worried about somebody you know or would like to tell somebody about how you’re feeling, the Samaritans are available round the clock, every single day of the year.
Whatever you’re going through, you can call the Samaritans for free at any time, from any phone on 116 123 or email them at jo@samaritans.org
Former Rovers player David Cotterill discussed his experiences with Mental Health in the latest editions of DNA Quarterly which is on sale now for just £4. Click here to get your copy.