Men Under Pressure: Male Suicide
Suicide is currently the biggest killer of men aged under 45. In 2014 76 per cent of all suicides in the UK were by men.
The figures highlight a very serious problem and some charities say men are less likely to talk about their mental health problems because they are under pressure to appear strong.
Cameron Grant from Hampton-in Arden was 21 when he took his own life. A suicide note left by Cameron revealed that he had been suffering from depression for several years.
But on the face of it Cameron was a successful Geology student, he was a member of his University’s ultimate Frisbee team and had an active social life.
His parents Carol and Evan Grant say they found it hard to believe that their son had chosen to end his life.
She says: "I'll never forget it absolute shock i thought they had got the wrong boy I couldn't believe they were talking about Cameron. It was like something out of a film when the police came just awful. I think i just sat here for days shaking and just hugged this cushion and i just couldn't believe.”
Just five weeks earlier Cameron had celebrated his 21st birthday and had planned a holiday with his Dad.
He says: "It's tragic he is not here to spend the rest of his life with us we imagined that there were so many things we would do together and now he has gone and it's horrible."
Cameron is just one of nearly 5 thousand men who their own life in 2014.
That's 12 men every day and one man every 2 hours
76 per cent of all suicides in the UK were men
41 per cent of those who thought about suicide felt they
couldn't talk about their feelings.
Source: CALM
Jane Powell, CEO of Calm said:
"it's very hard for men to reach out i think our definition of a proper man is someone who doesn't need any help, he is somebody independent, he looks after everybody else he is strong maybe aggressive and the last thing he is or expected to be or even allowed to be is weak or vulnerable in anyway “
The Eaton Foundation in Burton-on-Trent is Britain’s first mental health and well being centre for men. The philosophy behind the charity is to create a society where it is acceptable for men to express how they feel. Men from all ages and backgrounds can receive practical or emotional support without fear of being judged.
Jessica Eaton who is one of the Founders of the charity says a specialist centre for men is needed because too many men are taking their own lives.
“Those statistics are telling us there is a big problem that needs addressing and that's why this centre is needed."
Losing their son has left Carol and Evan devastated. They wish he had spoken to them about his feelings."
She says
"I know he wouldn't have wanted us to be like this and I just feel sad i'm not angry a lot of people ask me if i am angry but i'm not angry just sad that he felt he had to go this way.
I just wish he was still here."
The family have set up the Cameron Memorial Trust to raise awareness of suicide in young men. They hope it will encourage more men to come forward to talk about their feelings.
You can hear more about Cameron's story on our 'Men Under Pressure' special report at 6 o'clock tonight.
To get support and advice if you or someone you know has been affected by suicide then click here: