MEN’S mental health has never been more in the limelight. Celebrities and royals have made it one of the most talked-about health issues.

But while the focus has been on encouraging men to talk about their own wellbeing, what’s being done to help prepare people for what to do if a friend, colleague or family member reaches out to them for help?

The key is active listening, says Steve Carr. The Lydiard Millicent man runs Mindcanyon, a company providing mental health and suicide prevention education and training.

Earlier this month he launched a suicide first aid course, accredited by City and Guilds, at Swindon’s Fig Offices. The focus of the day-long training is to give people the confidence to know what to do if someone tells them they are considering taking their life.

According to the latest figures, a third more men than women killed themselves in the Swindon between 2015 and 2017. In total, 46 people took their own life.

Steve, 43, who has battled mental health problems of his own in the past, said: “It’s now more important than ever to know the mental health and suicide first aid basics.

“The training is hugely important for me, not least because the numbers [of people committing suicide] are so high in Swindon.”

Everyone should know the basics of what he described as active listening: “Listening without judgement to what the person is saying.” Those worried that a friend or colleague might be considering suicide should be aware of risky behaviour, such as spending time on tall buildings, gambling, drinking heavily, taking drugs or getting their affairs in order.

Steve knows all too well the toll poor mental health can take. His brother Paul was one of five young people killed when a car plunged off Akers Way and smashed into them. At the age of 15, Steve had to deal with the loss of his brother and the toll the trauma took on his family. Steve spent periods battling drug addiction and homelessness.

Asked what would have helped him deal with his mental health problems after his brother’s death, Steve said: “For me, it would have been understanding and acceptance.”

He called for more education to help people become better listeners: “We should be encouraging men to talk, but we should also be getting more skilled in active listening.

“There’s a lot of talk at the moment about the importance of men opening up. But who are we opening up to?

“The services are overstretched. We must be educating people to gain the skills of active listening.”

A week-long campaign, backed by the Swindon Advertiser, is aiming to encourage men to talk about their own mental wellbeing. Men’s Mental Health Swindon is running a series of events, including talks and exhibitions, throughout the week. For more, visit: www.mmhswindon.co.uk.

Mindcanyon is running monthly mental health training sessions. For more, visit: www.mindcanyon.co.uk.