Open to discussion

It's heartening to read that the male suicide rate in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since 1981. It remains a disproportionately common cause of death among men, but, as Ruth Sutherland of Samaritans has noted, the welcome downturn is probably attributable to both specific initiatives designed to combat the problem and a broader cultural shift in the way that mental health is perceived.

Not to overstate the case, but it does seem (anecdotally to me, at least) that things are gradually changing and that we are growing more comfortable with opening up to each other, acknowledging the value of seeking help and support rather than keeping anxieties and feelings bottled up inside. Hopefully, gone are the days when those who have the courage to admit they're struggling were simply told to "man up".