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In recent weeks, the area has been rocked by the news of one young man after another who felt they had no choice but to take their own lives.

From popular sportsmen to talented people at the start of promising careers, their deaths shocked friends and family - some of whom had no idea of the extent to which they were struggling with mental health.

Some were in their early twenties, with their whole lives before them.

As well as the six men we highlight here, Scunthorpe Live understands at least five more young men from the area have taken their own lives in the last year.

Des Comerford and Graeme Johnson, who launched mental health support group One For The Lads last year, said up to 100 local men who are dealing with a wide range of mental health problems are attending each meeting.

Following tragic suicides, they have seen people who were friends of those who died seeking help themselves.

Scunthorpe Live has spoken to mental health services and the support group to ask why young men are so vulnerable, and what can be done to help people who see no other way out.

Here are some of those who have died recently.

James Walker, 23

(Image: Facebook)

Popular rugby player James Walker showed "no previous signs" of depression or suicidal thoughts before his girlfriend found him unresponsive in their home.

The 23-year old had joined Scunthorpe RUFC's first XV at the start of the season and was already well-respected by his teammates when he took his own life in November.

His girlfriend Charlotte Talbot spoke about the horror of his unexpected death.

She said: "I couldn't believe it. I didn't see it coming. There were no previous signs. There was no talk of it ever.

"His family were devastated, they couldn't believe it too. I was heartbroken.

"It is mainly young men feeling like they shouldn't have feelings or emotions.

"They feel embarrassed to talk about that stuff, but they shouldn't. Everyone has feelings, everyone is human."

Callum Sawyer, 30

(Image: Unknown)

Dad-of-two Callum Sawyer was found dead at his home on Sunday, December 29. The death of the well-liked Scunthorpe man caused an outpouring of grief.

Zoe McCleave, who said: "This is so shocking. I have so many lovely, funny memories of Callum.

"Such a kind soul who would do anything for anyone. Gone far, far too soon."

Donna Trevor, said: "RIP Callum Sawyer, you will be sadly missed by loads.

"I can't believe you're gone so soon, it's going to be so hard for everyone who is not going to be seeing your face around any more.

Daniel Paul Fisher said: "RIP Callum Sawyer. Cannot believe what I have found out. One of the best mates I ever had from school and after. Loved his football."

Ronan Musselwhite, 23

(Image: Unknown)

Twenty-three-year-old Ronan Musselwhite had qualified as a junior doctor when his life ended tragically young.

He was described as a "beautiful soul who lived life to the absolute fullest."

His mum Caroline said: "Ronan lived a fulfilling but short life and although we knew the constant daily battles he went through with depression, ultimately became the doctor he said he was going to be from a young age.

"Ronan and his brother Ryan, with their strength and desire to succeed in life, have made us the proudest parents on the planet.

"Ronan, you were much loved by hundreds of people and you achieved so much in a short space of time."

Ronan, the son of former Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite, grew up in Messingham and was working in Newcastle.

David Carter, 39

(Image: Bethen Carter)

A second tragedy struck Scunthorpe RUFC when third team player David Carter died last week.

The popular player was described as a "much-loved member of the club, lost far too young."

A statement released by the club urged people #MentalHealthMatters and #ItsGoodToTalk.

David had become a father for the third time just 12 weeks before he passed away.

Loving tributes were paid by his wife Bethen and team-mates following his tragic death and a minute's silence was held before the Scunthorpe first team's match against Stourbridge last Saturday.

Danny Ayres, 33

(Image: Facebook/Danny Ayres Racing)

Speedway star Danny Ayres was described as an "amazing, incredible, loving" person by his partner after his death was announced last weekend.

The Scunthorpe Scorpions rider had battled with mental health and the impact of losing his mother Anne two years earlier.

His partner Jodie Pledge has pleaded with anyone else who is struggling seek help.

She said: "Danny absolutely lived for speedway. That was the only place he was truly free, free from any troubles and cares in his mind.

"Speedway is a huge extended family to us all, so please pull together and if any one of you are struggling with mental health issues, please, please open up and talk to someone. Anyone.

"Just know that you are loved and NOT alone."

Nathan Green, 21

21-year-old Nathan Green from Misterton was found dead at his home in York last week.

The bar manager was the eldest of six and a father figure to his younger siblings.

Nathan worked and lived in The Red Hart pub in Misterton for two years before moving to York to take up a different job.

Former colleague Julie Whitton said: "He was such a nice, happy lad. He cared about others so much more than he did himself and he would always try and make others happy."

Vicky Tillen said: "He really was a great lad and it was so good to be around him here. He was such a character, we all loved him and we'll all miss him."

'There are so many people out there desperate for help'

(Image: Scunthorpe Live)

The founders of the One For the Lads mental health support group say they have seen this crisis reflected in the number of people who have come forward to them since it was established in November.

Des Comerford said the group had been overwhelmed by the number of people contacting it, with people travelling from as far away as Grimsby, Lincoln and Barnsley for meetings in Scunthorpe.

He said: "We're in a mental health epidemic. There are not hundreds but thousands of people suffering around North Lincolnshire.

"We've been staggered by the amount of people messaging us. We are answering messages from people practically 24 hours a day - there are so many people out there desperate for help. We've been inundated.

"In the short time we have been running the group, people have become like family. We really urge anyone who is struggling to get in touch with us or come along."

The group has seen the shockwaves of suicides travel through the community, having a knock-on effect.

"When one person takes their own life, it dramatically raises the chances of another person that they knew doing the same, whether it's a friend or family member or teammate," Des said.

"People are coming to us after they have had a loved one take their life. "

(Image: David Haber/Scunthorpe Live)

"We've also had parents start attending the group on behalf of their children, saying they're at their wits' end trying to get help for them."

"We see a lot of people who are drowning under debt, or who feel isolated. People are living hand to mouth."

Co-founder Graeme Johnson, who has been through his own heartbreaking battle with depression, said for some of the men attending the meetings, it is their first time admitting they are struggling with their mental health. However, others have unsuccessfully sought help for years.

He also highlighted gambling addiction as a scourge that is leaving young men increasingly vulnerable and urged anyone who is struggling with mental health to attend a One For The Lads meeting.

He said: "People go around wearing a false face, pretending that they don't have any problems. I did it myself.

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"But then they come to a meeting and they see that they aren't unique. You can see the difference when they walk out of the door at the end."

One For the Lads meets from 6pm to 8pm every Wednesday at the Wortley House Hotel in Scunthorpe. It is free to attend and anybody is welcome.

Visit its Facebook page here.

Training available to help spot the 'warning signs'

Sharon Greensill, the suicide prevention lead for the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, which provides adult mental health services in North Lincolnshire, has urged people to take training which can help to spot the warning signs of suicide attempts.

She said: "We know that men historically make up 75 per cent of suicides and certain age groups including younger men and 45 to 49-year-olds are more vulnerable.

"Some of the risk factors are problems with employment, finance, relationships and alcohol.

(Image: Copyright Unknown)

"The Zero Suicide Alliance has great training which can help to spot the warning signs in someone. It's free and only takes 20 minutes, you can even complete it on your phone.

"They can then signpost vulnerable people towards appropriate services such as crisis teams, psychological therapy, the Mind charity or One For The Lads.

"It's really important that people get comfortable talking about mental health and feel able to ask for help from their GP, mental health service or a friend.

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"Ideally, this training would be perfect for people like barbers and publicans who spend all day talking to men and can have those open, honest conversations."

The Zero Suicide Alliance Training is available free online here.