LESS THAN half of men in rural areas would rather struggle on alone than reach out for support.
Leading with that harsh statistic, suicide prevention charity Samaritans has launched a fresh awareness drive, 'Real People, Real Stories', supported by The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and Scottish Government, which aims to reach men in rural communities who are struggling to cope, in order to prevent them reaching crisis point.
Men are almost three times more likely to die by suicide than women in Scotland, with men accounting for over 70% of deaths by suicide in Scotland consistently since the mid-1980s. Samaritans' research found that just 43% of men in rural areas of the UK indicated they would reach out for assistance in difficult times, compared to 51% in urban areas.
The charity's executive director in Scotland, Rachel Cackett, said: “The reasons for suicide and personal struggles are complex, going beyond simply where you live or what profession you are in. But these can be contributing factors.
“The increased risk factors for those living in remote and rural settings, such as poor access to services, isolation and persistent loneliness, mean it’s essential for us all to do more to reach people in these environments.
“We hope this new Real People, Real Stories campaign will raise awareness of the support that’s out there," said Ms Cackett, "and encourage more people to seek help early on, so that we can continue the drive to reduce suicide rates across the country."
The Scottish Government is also supporting a specific 'Real People, Real Stories' campaign in the West Highlands and Skye – a region which has the second-highest suicide rate in Scotland.
“It is important that people reach out,” said David, a volunteer for Samaritans who is based on the Knoydart Peninsula, near Mallaig. “I've always had that ability to talk to people, whether that's friends or family, about what I'm going through. But without that support, who knows where I'd be now?
"Men particularly find it difficult to talk about what's going on in their life and emotions. You know, if somebody can just reach out to somebody else, just to talk to somebody about how they're feeling, I think they’ll really feel the benefit of that.”
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Perthshire-based farmer and chair of NFU Mutual, Jim McLaren MBE, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Real People, Real Stories, raising awareness of the support Samaritans offer around the clock. Finding a safe, non-judgmental space to explore their feelings could be a person’s first step on their journey to looking after their recovery.”
Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart, added:“The Scottish Government is pleased to support this vitally important work by the Samaritans to reach out to men in rural communities, and in doing so to raise awareness of the support that is available. We know how powerful it can be to hear the stories of people who have had similar life experiences.
“This work will help to provide real hope and reassurance to those who are struggling that they are not alone and that there is help available to them. The Real People, Real Stories campaign will help to reduce stigma and promote more understanding of suicide in our society, and most importantly will encourage people to talk.”
Anyone can call Samaritans for free 24/7 on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org for online self-help tools and information.
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