The Samaritans phone service has reported that more than one in ten calls for help over the summer was from men wanting to talk about their sexual orientation – compared to just one in 40 similar calls from women.

A Danish study has found the suicide risk among gay men in civil partnerships is eight times higher than in heterosexual couples, and twice as high as the risk in men who have never married. However, the same study showed no statistically significant increase in suicide risk among women in civil partnerships.

In 2012, three per cent of gay men tried to take their own life, increasing to five per cent for bisexual men, according to Stonewall as quoted in the Government Suicide Prevention Strategy for England. The same figures show that one in ten gay and bisexual men aged 16-19 thought about taking their own life.

Catherine Johnstone, Chief Executive of Samaritans said: ‘Samaritans is there for everyone, gay or straight, at any time. We are absolutely confidential and we don’t make judgements. Whatever your problem, call us and we’ll listen to anything you need to say.’

Richard Lane, media manager for Stonewall, added: ‘Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are significantly more likely to suffer from depression and to commit suicide, and this report should come as yet another reminder of the urgency of tackling homophobic bullying across society.’

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Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year. They provide a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them.

Please call 08457 90 90 90 (UK) 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), email, or visit the Samaritans Website to find details of the nearest branch.