Dougie has experience of dealing with mental health problems and has found that the support and guidance of others helped him.
Fighting With Pride is an LGBT+ veterans charity who support veterans, serving military personnel and their families.
Dougie felt different from a young age. This lead to him experiencing struggles. Later in life he felt depressed and used alcohol to cope with his feelings.
Dougie talks about a time he was drinking too much and struggling to figure out who he was when a friend reached out to him.
The offering support to someone you’re worried is suicidal page has a series of videos from Gill about how to approach and support someone you’re worried about.
Watch Merrick’s video on Coping right now where she discusses effective strategies to cope in a crisis.
Dougie talks about his friends perseverance in reaching out to him. This made him realise that there were people who cared for him. His friend encouraged him to call Samaritans. Speaking to Samaritans allowed Dougie to open up about his experiences.
If you need someone to listen, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day.
Jenn’s story discusses the experiences of losing a family member to suicide.
Dougie discusses the importance of talking to someone. Whether it’s a friend, a family memeber or a stranger.
If you need someone to talk to you can contact Breathing Space, a confidential listening service where you wont be judged.
Neil’s video ‘I need to say something’ talks about how he reached out to his wife after a long time of bottling up his feelings.
Dougie talks about his experience of dealing with his sexuality and how that affected his mental health.
Switchboard is an LGBTQIA+ service who offer non-judgemental advice and support.
Dougie talks about his experience of masculinity and how that affected him growing up and prevented him from asking for help for a long time.
Andy’s Man Club is an organisation of men supporting other men, they have locations all over the country. They aim to provide open spaces where men can open up to each other.
Dougie says there is light at the end of the tunnel. He has been there and come out the other side by opening up and getting support.
If you need someone to talk to you can contact Breathing Space, a confidential listening service where you wont be judged.
Dougie talks about his experience of thinking about suicide and how he was able to get out of that thinking. He also says it’s important to reach out for help and there are people who want to help you.
Mind have advice on how to talk to your friends and family about your mental health.
Dougie talks about how being gay has affected his mental health. This has included being assaulted for being who he is.
Switchboard is an LGBTQIA+ service who offer non-judgemental advice and support.
Dougie discusses his coping mechanisms that he still uses. He says communication is still vital to him.
Veterans First Point (V1P) is a service by veterans for veterans and their families across Scotland.