In the last 15 years suicide has doubled in the male population. Samaritans statistics indicate that there is one suicide every 82 minutes and 75% are males.

These staggering statistics have been a wake up call to both the government and the health authority to get to the root of the problem.

Depression has been linked to suicide and is a problem amongst the male population in the UK.

The main reason why both depression and suicide are high amongst males are the feelings, associated with depression, that are not talked about by the individual.

Dr. Rory O'Connor at the physcology department at Strythclyde University has this subject upon his heart and has been conducting research on suicide for many years. Together with Audra Selley, Mental Health Nurse for Warrington Collegiate Institute they shed some light on the issue.

According to Audra Selley depression is triggered by a variety of causes. This can include bereavement, a traumatic life event, loss of job, which can have a great impact on peoples lives, posttraumatic stress and any form of distress.

Audra Selley said: "Physically we know what causes depression, but why it happens doctors are still a little bit unsure."

The recognised signs and symptoms are feeling low, loss of energy and interest, feeling physically unwell, poor concentration loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling hopeless, helpless, guilt and/or despair.

Dr Rory O'Connor said: "Symptoms also include Feelings of failure and rejection and not being able to get away from those feelings."

People who experience one or all of these symptoms can be offered counseling where there are opportunities for support and to talk.

Audra Selley said: "If counseling is too informal for them an informal meeting can be arranged and if symptoms persist often doctors will prescribe antidepressants, which is the main treatment."

This may be a difficult time for someone and you may feel alone. You can help yourself through this time by accepting as much help offered to you and recognising that depression is an illness that needs treatment.

Audra suggests talking is a great healer that can reduce stress and the symptoms. It is important to talk to someone you can trust, a family member or friend. Dr. Rory O'Connor agreed that talking is something that should not be dismissed.

Dr. Rory O'Connor said: "Lack of communication is certainly a problem as men are less likely to talk about there feelings. It is important to educate children at a young age that it is good to talk."

Talking about your problems and concerns can help reduce stress levels, which can be one of the causes of depression

Audra Selley said: "You can help by reducing alcohol intake as alcohol itself is a depressant. Eating sensibly and taking regular exercise. Try and keep up with normal daily activities if possible and keep a pattern going."

There is a stigma surrounding how a man should act. Openly showing and talking about how you feel has been compressed and almost disallowed by society in the past. This has become a problem and is now leading to an increase in suicide. The main reason why this is the case is simply that depression is not being treated.

Sue Coggins, Nurse Manager at Confidential Health Advisory Team (CHAT) said: "Men rarely attend GP's and it has been shown that people who regularly attend GP's are women.
"The reality is that anybody can be depressed, it isn't a stigma it is an illness, the same as a broken leg. A chemical dipping in the brain causes it and it is treatable.
"It needs to be dealt with quickly so that it doesn't get worse."

It is vital that this problem is not ignored as it can be easily treated.

Dr Rory O'Connor said: "You should seek help earlier rather than later and think of it as a physical illness."

Suicide can be a consequence of depression. Audra Selley said: "Overall 70% of male suicides have been diagnosed with a psychological disorder.
"5% of people suffering from psychotic depression, anxiety and schizophrenia will go on to commit suicide.
"15% of the people registered as alcohol dependant will commit suicide."

Sue Coggins said: "A lot of this can be linked to not talking as men can get so low that they can no longer see any where else to go, what else to do, but commit suicide."

Audra Selley said: "If you have got depression it increases the risk of suicide by 30 %, although not everyone who has depression will harm themselves or take their own life."

According to statistics men are more likely to complete the act of suicide. Women attempt to commit suicide without the intention of killing themselves, but as a cry for help.

Dr Rory O'Connor disagrees and said: "I would never refer to any form of self harm as a cry for help, these are outdated terms, it is more a cry of pain."

Audra Selley said: "Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women and women are three times more likely to injure themselves. Statistics indicate that 11 men per 100, 000 commit suicide and in women it is 4 per 100,000."

Dr. Rory O'Connor agrees with this statement and agrees that these are shocking statistics. So what is the government doing to tackle the issue?

A document produced by the government 'The Healthier Nation' addresses issues of how to reduce suicide rates. However this document does not address the root causes of suicide.

Sue Coggins said: "This document does not actually look at reducing depression so they are addressing suicide, but they are not addressing the issue of why they are committing suicide, so the government needs to address this more."

The medical profession is attempting to break down the barriers holding men back from receiving and wanting treatment by inducing target points to make mental health more accessible and community based.

The nurse managers at Warrington Collegiate said: "Our role is more friendly than GP's so we see more young men with depression than a GP would ever see, it is very informal and people are not referred into the mental health service.
"There is still that stigma in the mental health service although there is being a lot done to reduce this."

The nurses advice that the GP should be the first port of call to seek help. The GP will either treat the depression or refer you on to a specialist or councilor.

1 in 4 suffer from depression in their lifetime so you are not alone and sometimes it is the first step, which is the hardest from then on you are on the road to a successful recovery. Remember being able to talk can be the best healer.