MALE suicide is often called the 'silent killer' as it is the single biggest cause of death for men under the age of 45 in the UK.

The latest figures show that male suicide rates across the UK are three times higher than female suicide rates.

4 Male suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK Credit: Getty - Contributor

What are male suicide rates in the UK?

Shocking statistics reveal 84 men take their own life each week.

A suicide statistics report, released last year, by the Samaritans showed there were 6,639 suicides in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) in 2015.

Of that figure 4,997 were men, meaning 75 per cent of all suicides in 2015 in the UK and the ROI were committed by men.

Despite it being the biggest killer of men under the age of 45, the age group which had the highest rates of suicide were aged between 40 – 44 in the UK.

4 Each week 84 men take their own life

How can awareness be raised?

There are lots of charities out there who help with depression or suicidal thoughts.

As with most charities, if you want to raise awareness and get involved there are fundraising and volunteering opportunities available. Search charity websites for more details.

In a big drive to raise awareness of male suicide, this March a new campaign was launched called Project 84 – named after the number of men who take their own life each week.

The visual project has seen 84 life-size sculptures installed on the top of ITV’s studios, each representing a real man who took his life.

This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield discussed the project in-depth, speaking to families who lost loved ones to suicide.

4 Project 84 is a new art installation raising awareness of male suicide Credit: Splash News

You can read more about Project 84, and “join the campaign to take a stand against male suicide and get the tools you need for action” by visiting their website here.

Not just charities, but bereaved families are also taking a stand.

A petition started by Matthew Smith, who lost his brother Dan to suicide, is backed by the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

It is calling on the Government to appoint a minister for suicide prevention and bereavement support.

With more than 117,000 signatures, you can find out more and sign here.

In May 2018 Coronation Street raised awareness of male suicide in a storyline where factory boss Aidan Connor kills himself.

The Samaritans also have a strategy to try and tackle suicide, 'Working together to reduce suicide 2015-21', and run a free phone service.

People can get in touch over the phone, text, email or face-to-face for support.

4 75 per cent of all suicides are committed by men in the UK and ROI

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What is CALM?

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide.

They offer support, challenge a culture which stops men seeking help, support people bereaved by suicide and push for changes to policy.

It was launched as a pilot scheme by the Department of Health in Manchester in 1997, and in 2006 it became a national charity.

CALM is behind the Project 84 campaign, and Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “CALM has been campaigning and providing support services for 11 years but, try as we might, it isn’t enough to tackle the enormous problem of male suicide.

“So with Project 84, we wanted to make the scale of the situation very clear to everyone that sees the sculptures.”

People can get involved and raise awareness by using the hashtag #Project84.

If you need someone to talk to the Samaritans are free to call on 116 123, or call CALM on 0800 58 58 58.