AN ARDROSSAN dad wants men who are feeling suicidal during lockdown to seek help with his mental health

group.

A New Hope was set up last year by Keith Lavelle, 35, after his best friend tragically took his own life.

Keith, who has had his own battle with depression

including a suicide attempt, has spoken with some men who have been struggling to cope as restrictions take their toll.

He was on a mission to give men in the Three Towns a platform to be heard, before coronavirus halted his

plans.

Now even though the group can’t meet, he is even more determined to make men aware that there is light at the end of tunnel.

And Keith is desperate to make sure men contemplating suicide know where to turn.

He told the Herald: “It’s important people know that we are still here. There’s been a trend through lockdown, you see more and more people struggling.

“That is part and parcel of not being to get out and see people.

“I have struggled, it’s a very difficult time for everyone.

“If you’ve got anxiety it can be made a lot worse with this situation.”

“I have been contacted more by people feeling suicidal, we are trying to talk and work through that as much as possible.”

Keith named the group after the hit 1977 Star Wars film of the same title, which he and his pal were massive fans of.

Since starting nearly a year ago, A New Hope has gone from strength to strength.

From just four members, the group increased to 13 who would regularly meet up to talk about their problems and as a group make a plan on how to tackle them.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, plans were in place for the group to head along to a centre in Glasgow where you are allowed to take your frustrations out by smashing up items in a safe space.

Funds were raised for the day out to ‘Smash’ but it will now have to wait until after lockdown.

Instead the group have been utilising technology to stay in touch.

Keith added: “It’s been hard going not getting to see people face to face.

“We have been using Zoom to video call each other.

“We’re also active on our two Facebook groups one for men and one for all.

“Both are free to join and whatever is said in the group, stays in the group as they are private.”