Charities call for more support over male suicide figures

The figures for male suicide are at a fifteen year high and the charities are asking for more to be done to help men over the Christmas period.

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Male suicide at 15-year high

The number of men who took their own lives in 2013 was its highest level for 15 years.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics show almost four times as many men as women killed themselves last year.

  • Male suicides: 4,020
  • Female suicides: 1,120

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) says gender is the biggest issue when it comes to suicide.

They're calling for more to be done to help:

"There is still a stigma around suicide, and men can feel less able to talk about their problems.

More needs to be done to help people who are struggling and might see suicide as the only option, and to support the families of people who take their own lives."

– Jane Powell, Director of CALM

More men call Samaritans over Christmas

An increasing number of men are calling the Samaritans over Christmas. The Charity supports people who are in distress.

Its research shows about 45 per cent of men are more worried at Christmas than any other time of year.

The Carlisle branch has been raising money and awareness in the city centre through carol singing.

Carol singers in Carlisle city centre Credit: ITV Border News
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