Castletown man taking part in national suicide prevention campaign
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A CAITHNESS man, who is taking part in a national suicide prevention campaign, has said it is so important men speak about their feelings.
"It’s not a sign of weakness, but it is in fact a sign of strength," says 30-year-old Chris Stone who comes from Castletown but lives and works in Edinburgh.
He is one of 12 men from across Scotland who have got together to launch the landmark campaign TimetoBlether which is supported by the leading Scottish men’s health charity Brothers in Arms, and is aimed at encouraging men to open-up and talk about their mental health.
According to recent statistics, 115 people in the UK die by suicide every week. Seventy-five per cent of them are male – that is 12 men a day. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under age 50. The campaign comes as significant, real-term cuts will be made to mental health funding in Scotland, particularly impacting prevention and community-based support.
Members of the public are being urged to share Brothers in Arms’ free Blethr technology with their male networks to help normalise conversation around mental health and emotions, and to facilitate sharing. The charity wants to tackle the issue of male suicide through innovative solutions and community engagement. It provides a range of services, including the Blether app, to encourage open conversations and support men in their mental health journey.
The men in the campaign group are aged from 23 to 85 years old and all had their lives touched in some way by suicide or mental health struggles.
Chris, a strength and resilience trainer who features in the campaign's film, said: "Suicide is preventable, not inevitable. It is so important that if men are struggling with their feelings that they talk about it. It’s not a sign of weakness, but it is in fact a sign of strength. The most important step men can take is to reach out, whether that’s to a friend, a family member, GP or a mental health professional."
He added: "Our mental health is as important as our physical health – when we feel physical discomfort, we don’t hesitate to try and solve the matter, and it’s just as important to look after your mental health in the same way. Talking about your mental health is the first step to feeling better." His parents are the Rev Howard and Christine Stone who live in Castletown.
Brothers in Arms founder, Dan Proverbs, is optimistic about the campaign's potential impact. "Male suicide rates represent a public health crisis. Through our digital support and unique Blethr technology, our goal is to create a cultural shift where men feel comfortable discussing their feelings and seeking help before they reach crisis point."
The charity aims to raise £120,000 throughout 2024 to expand outreach efforts, engage more individuals, and to help develop the capabilities of Blethr as it supports the mental health needs of men across Scotland and beyond.
