Watch this powerful video made for World Suicide Prevention Day

One man dies by suicide every minute of every day. That is the hard-hitting message at the centre of a powerful video released by globally renowned poet Hussain Manawer, in collaboration with cancer charity Movember, for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Manawer, who has campaigned for men’s mental health with the Samaritan’s charity and with US TV host Oprah, released the poem and video ‘YOU GOT YOURSELF’, to encourage men to become “a man of more words”.

Hussain Manawer said: ‘We are growing up at a time where there is so much uncertainty and not only that but stigma, taboo and so many other contributing factors prevent us men from speaking up about what we are going through.”

On average it is estimated around 6,000 take their lives in the UK each year, however evidence from the Samaritans charity indicates there has been an overall decline of suicide rates.

In England 7.4 per cent of suicides have fallen as the country reports 404 fewer people taking their own lives in comparison to 2019. 

Despite showing a positive decline in the suicide rate, Scotland still remains particularly higher than the UK average, as 15 out of every 100,000 suffer at the hands of the mental health issue, opposed to England and Wales averaging 10 out of every 100,000. 

Men aged between 45-49 continue to be the most susceptible to suicide.

Across the UK men are statistically 3 times more likely to take their own lives in comparison to women, raising awareness about the importance of emotional well-being amongst the male community is a must. 

Manawer, who has recently made an appearance on Oprah’s mental health series on Apple TV, said we need to take further steps “to create safer spaces” for those suffering from poor mental health. 

With hopes of tackling the problem at the root, Movember is turning to early intervention initiatives with its Movember Conversations programme, an online interactive tool that gives family and friends guidance on how to support men that may be struggling. 

The tool uses simulated conversations to indicate how one may approach the subject of someone’s emotional well-being, guided by an international team of mental health experts. 

If you are struggling to cope with your mental health, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website here.