Talking could save a life.

With the recent and extremely sad high profile case of Gary Speed taking his own life being in the press again it’s made me think about mental health issues and why it seems to be such a taboo subject, particularly for Men.

Generally speaking, although Depression in Men and Women alike tends to be something that goes unspoken, mental health issues in Men seems to be an even bigger taboo.

You wouldn’t think twice about telling a mate you had a cold/man flu (delete as appropriate.) but when it comes to a condition that effects 1 in 4 people at some time in their lives, which can be so debilitating the sufferer cannot bring themselves to leave the house and causes them to suffer in silence rather than feel the “shame” that they perceive they are bringing on themselves and their families by admitting they are struggling and need help, they remain silent.

A fact which shocked me, but didn’t surprise me is that 75% of suicide victims each year in the UK are Male. How can it be that in the civilised society which we live in people feel that the only option available to them is to end their pain by taking their own lives? It’s just not right.

Fortunately, the tide is slowly turning with more and more high profile people coming out and admitting that they themselves have had problems. The most recent of these is Footballer Leon McKenzie, who at the height of his career played for Norwich in the Premier League. To the outside world he had everything, the dream job/house/car and young family, but during a spell with Charlton in 2009 he attempted to take his own life.

Leon now speaks openly about his illness, and is working with the PFA to help other footballers who are experiencing what he experienced. In my opinion the FA and football clubs at all levels should promote the issues around mental health more openly. By promoting these issues, stimulating debate and raising awareness of the issues they could literally, and this isn’t an exaggeration, save someone’s life.

I can only hope that the sad case of Gary Speed and the stories of people like Leon McKenzie will prompt people who have been suffering in silence to speak to someone, anyone. Be it a GP, a family member or even a phone call to the Samaritans in confidence.

If you are reading this and you yourself have been experiencing some of the things I’ve mentioned above then please speak to someone. You should feel no shame and you are not alone.

The Samaritans – Call 08457 909090 or email jo@samaritans.org