A NORTH-WEST Glasgow councillor who battled suicidal thoughts wants to implement a strategy to help men struggling with depression.

Garscadden and Scotstounhill representative Michael Cullen is urging Glasgow City Council to work with partner organisations to develop a plan to encourage men living with depression and other mental health conditions to speak out and get help.

Mr Cullen fought depression for a year-and-a-half and came close to committing suicide in 2015. This year he walked from Kirkintilloch to Yoker to raise money for mental health charity Brothers in Arms and he plans to make this an annual tradition.

Mr Cullen explained: “We are in a crisis. Mental health problems are the biggest killer of men under 40. I nearly took my own life in 2015 and if it hadn’t been for my family I wouldn’t be here.

“I want the council to adopt a strategy, working with partner organisations including the police, universities and council officers, to help men living with depression.

“At the next full council meeting, I will be bringing several mental health charities including GAMH, Brothers in Arms and the Mental Health Foundation to speak to members about the problems we face.

“We are in the run up to Christmas which is the busiest time of year, but it can also be quite stressful.

“Elected members sometimes forget about themselves and their own state of mind because they are trying to help others.”

Last year Glasgow City Council decided to join the See Me campaign in a bid to end discrimination and stigma towards mental health conditions.

Mr Cullen continued: “I would like to see a mental health strategy for the city. There are three “faces” people adopt – a face for your friends, a face for your work, and your real face when you are alone.

“This programme is in the early stages but I think everyone should be able to have their say on how it should be developed.

“Everyone will have their own experience and view on what should happen. We need to listen to the third sector and those who live with a mental health condition.

“People in the city want change and we want to champion that.”

Mr Cullen wants to set up a short life working group with partner organisations to set up his strategy and help those in need. He hopes this will be in place within the next 12 months.