Suicide is the leading cause of death for men up to the age of 40. Tia Davies has lost three of her friends since the pandemic and does not think enough is being done to prevent it.

To mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, the mum-of-one has shared their stories in the hopes of encouraging men to seek support and talk to one another.

Leon Junior was 21 years old when his body was found near Shorne Woods Country Park, in Gravesend, on May 23, 2020.

At his inquest, coroner Alan Blunsdon said there did not appear to be a single trigger which would have caused him to take his own life.

However, he was told there were several “small things which had built up in Leo’s mind”, predominantly a move somewhere he feared he would “not be happy”.

Paying tribute at the time, his mum, Sheena Hamid, said: “He was always a happy child, right from a baby he always had this amazing smile on his face.

"He was living his best life. He had a good family behind him. It did come out of the blue.

“He had so many friends who worshipped the ground he walked on. He will never be forgotten and always loved."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

Doorman Kevin Simms was 59 years old when he took his own life and was found in a country park in Tonbridge on September 1, 2024.

Tia described him as a “big, built guy” who “had the whole world out there, but just could not take it anymore”.

Four months later, she found out her childhood friend Jamie Martin had been found dead in Riverside Country Park, in Rainham, on December 4, 2024.

Speaking about the 31-year-old, she said: “Jamie had a whole family, he had his own company, and he had so many friends including the boys he had grown up with.

“Jamie was someone that I would always say was not just a childhood memory, but was part of my life.

“With a childhood friend, it feels like you will always have that friendship; they are never going anywhere.”

Tia believes that their deaths may not have happened if they had spoken about what it was they were struggling with, whether that was family, finances or life changes.

The security trainer added: “Leon was in his 20s, Jamie was in his 30s, and Kevin was in his 50s. It is such an age difference, but they all died from suicide from the pain that they were going through.

“Men are going home, paying the bills, looking after their families. They are more worried about getting through the challenging times and do not talk about them.

“That is a massive thing that bothers me, and it is really close to my heart because it is always the men.

“We are living in a society where they think they cannot talk. We need to change the stigma and support families that are suffering, but most of all, we need to raise awareness.”

According to the Mental Health Foundation, suicide is the leading cause of death for men up to the age of 40.

However, it adds that mental health problems affect both genders, but it is not in equal measure.

The charity states that three times as many men as women die by suicide, with men aged 40 to 49 having the highest suicide rates in the country.

Statistics for suspected suicides reported between August 2023 and October 2024 suggest that out of 5,464 deaths, 4,065 were men (74.4%) and 1,399 were women (25.6%).

The report, published by the government’s office for health improvement and disparities in March, suggests that the suspected sucide rates remain higher in men than in women.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women and are less likely to access psychological therapies than women.

However, women are three times more likely to experience a common mental health problem, which Tia said is equally as important to remember.

Since her friends’ deaths, Tia, who is from Gillingham, has completed a six-week online suicide prevention awareness course to try and have a better understanding of the crisis.

The 31-year-old added: “My friends had died by suicide, and I had lost them. I needed to know why they were doing it and if there was anything that I could do.

“I think it was important that I did that course because it opened my eyes. I thought people who died from suicide were selfish, but they are not selfish at all.

“They cannot help how they are feeling, and they feel like they cannot carry on. It was an eye-opener to think they are doing it because they have no other way out.

“If we think about suicide, we are never going to stop it, but we can make a change. The stigma is changing, and the awareness is out there.

“I think the world is very challenging, and we have got to think about our children and what is going to happen when they are older.

“It is important that men can talk to other men. They need to know that we are here. We need to make a change now before it is too late.”

She is now hosting a men’s mental health charity day to raise money for the suicide prevention initiative, Baton of Hope, a mental health support group for men in Swale, MenTalk Health Sittingbourne, and the mental health charity, North Kent Mind.

The event is being held at the Tudor Rose, in Upnor, ME2 4XG, on Saturday, May 31. Tickets are £5 and can be bought at the bar on the day or by contacting Tia on 07512825363.

The single mum said: “It is going to be amazing, but my only worry is, can we keep the awareness there, or is it gonna disappear after this and be forgotten about?

“It needs to be more, and it needs to carry on. We need to keep the awareness this big, and if there are people who can help, please step forward and help.”

Today (May 12) is the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which aims to bring the country together to focus on good mental health.

This year’s theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is community.

It says: “Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing.

“We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us we are not alone.

“Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose.”

It is encouraging people to get involved in their communities, such as by getting outdoors, joining a club, or connecting online, to boost their mental health.

Mental health problems can affect any of us at any time in our lives.

When life gets tough, talking can help.

Find more information about mental health support in Kent and Medway by visiting the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Hub.

Call the Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123, or chat in confidence to a trained Release the Pressure adviser, anytime, just text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160.