Scheme to target young men with depression

9:36am Wednesday 30th January 2008

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A NEW scheme to target young men with depression has been launched in Hyndburn.

The "Calmzone" initiative is only in place in a handful of locations across the UK and Hyndburn is the first area in East Lancashire.

It is hoped that if the scheme proves to be a success then it could be rolled out across the region, with Burnley and Pendle set to be included later this year.

Funding has been secured from the Government by the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to run the high profile camp-aign.

CALM co-ordinator for Hyndburn, Miles Whittaker, said 15 to 35-year-olds would be targeted with information and advice at the places where they were most likely to see it.

The charity will encourage young men to seek help when they are down or depressed, and will direct them in the first instance to their website, which will include local agencies who might be of help. From March it plans to run a helpline open four days a week in the evenings. This will be supported by a web chat and texting service.

That means promotion at pubs, clubs, sports and entertainment sites. There are also two large advertising boards, which have been set up in Burnley Road and Blackburn Road in Accrington.

East Lancashire has a relatively high suicide rate. Around 60 people from the area take their own lives each year, with most in Blackburn with Darwen. In East Lancashire, 75 per cent of all suicides are men of working age.

Mr Whittaker, who works for the East Lancs Primary Care Trust, said: "There is so much pressure on young men today to be successful, wealthy and have the perfect life, yet so many lads feel unable to live up to this expectation.

"CALM is about giving young men someone to talk to when life gets tough, a way to get your head straight and get support."

CALM campaigns centre on high profile events and quality promotions. A recent MTV and billboard advert campaign used the message: "Being silent isn't being strong". A spokesman for Papyrus, the charity for prevention of young suicide, said: "The way they are set up grabs the attention and is very different to the normal health promotion that you see."

Last night a free gig launched the scheme at the Accrington Town Hall ballroom and another free gig at The Attic in Warner Street, Accrington, featuring India Mill, Hey Bulldog and The Citizen Band takes place on Friday.

For more information visit the website below.