Soaps such as Coronation Street are currently covering male suicide and men suffering from depression in silence.

Coronation Street fans were devastated when former X-factor winner, Shane Ward’s character; Aidan Connor was killed off after taking his own life and suffering from depression in silence.

The story focuses on male suicide and suffering from depression in silence.

As someone who suffers from depression, there is nothing worse than feeling isolated and not being able to talk to anyone.

The first time I went down to the doctors alone and went on anti-depressants. I was suspended from my reasonably paid job, and I had fallen out with my friends.

As I was feeling suicidal, and I had to see the GP every other day.

I couldn’t talk to anyone, and when I first took anti-depressants, I was so sick it was horrible.

At the time I remember thinking that it would be less painful to end it all.

The soap storyline wasn’t the most realistic, and I feel that the scriptwriters could have done a better job at showing the build-up to the suicide of the character in more depth.

However, the story of suicide, especially male suicide needs to be told.

Here are some facts about men’s suicide:

• The biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK is suicide

• Just over three out of four suicides (76%) are by men and suicide is the most significant cause of death for men under 35 (ONS)

• 12.5% of men in the UK are suffering from one of the common mental health disorders.

• Men are also nearly three times more likely than women to become alcohol dependent (8.7% of men are alcohol dependent compared to 3.3% of women – Health and Social Care Information Centre).

If you need to talk, check out these charities:

Samaritans

Free helpline anyone who needs to talk about tough times can ring.

You can call, email, text, write, or talk to trained volunteers face-to-face. Calling Samaritans is free of charge from a landline or mobile.

The number is 116 123. For more information go to www.samaritans.org

CALM
CALM, the campaign against living miserably, is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the biggest single killer of men aged 20 – 45 in the UK.

Offers support to men in the UK, any age, who are down or in crisis via a helpline (0800 585858) and website (www.thecalmzone.net).
SANE

Aims to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.

There’s a helpline available on 0300 304 7000 from 6 pm – 11 pm every evening.

Check out the online support forum at www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum